#your colors still amaze me I really like your color palettes

[art]

Creator Spotlight: @jijidraws

Jiji Knight is a latina pinup illustrator. Her work is overall geared toward thick ladies and dedicated to fat positivity out of a purely selfish need to create art she wished she had seen growing up. She often features sexy and soft macabre themes on vibrant or sweet colours and takes great joy in making folx feel good about themselves with her work. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration and operates out of her very sunny hometown of Las Vegas.

Check out our interview with Jiji below!

Have you ever had an art block? If so, how did you overcome it?

Oh my gosh… I have art blocks all the time. My favorite way of overcoming it is by making fanart. Funnily enough, that’s something I don’t do in my own work anymore. But there are still IPs I return to that still bring joy to my heart. I love returning to drawing Sailor Moon like when I was in first grade. Or I’ll even look up the last fashion week and start drawing the fashion week outfits from the Paris or New York show. Stuff like that is what gets my creative juices flowing.

What medium have you always been intrigued by but would never use yourself?

Resin. Resin art is so stunning. People make the most amazing and beautiful sculptures using resin, and I don’t think I could ever bring myself to play with something so complicated. There are a lot of ways to cure it, and sometimes, it doesn’t cure properly…I already work with enough chaos as it is! I respect resin artists, but I don’t think I would ever touch it. I’ve admired it from a distance. There is an artist I follow who does these resin layer paintings. So they’ll paint a layer of resin, then cure it, and paint on top of the cured layer. They build up these amazing paintings using resin…I could never. Maybe one day!

What is one interaction you had with a fan of yours that has stuck with you over the years?

I still remember…It was my first and only Flame Con in New York. I had a fan come up to my booth. They didn’t say hello or that it was nice to meet me. They started to cry! They cried, and the first words out of their mouth were, “I’ve never seen myself in artwork before.” So, of course, I started to cry! So we were just crying across the table at each other. It was just one of the sweetest interactions, and it really sticks with me still to this day.

What is a recent creative project that you are proud of?

My latest collaboration with the artist Missupacey. We’ve been collaborating for two years now, and our last collaboration was for Midsummer Scream. It was two very cute clown girls, and I designed our T-shirt. It was one of the most fun projects we’ve done in a long time. We love doing collaborative work because it keeps working in the art industry fresh—being able to bounce ideas back and forth. So we do it where someone picks the color palette, and someone picks a theme. We’ll get references together, put them on a big board, and send each other sketches. It’s really nice to work with somebody else.

How has technology changed the way you approach your work?

Honestly, it changed everything. I mean, I used to draw for myself a lot. And while I still do that, I now predominantly draw for my Patrons. For a while, I was drawing for the internet. So I was drawing stuff people wanted to see in terms of plus-sized versions of characters—a plus-sized Poison Ivy or a plus-sized Sailor Moon. My Patrons have allowed me to start drawing for myself again. But technology, for a while, essentially dominated what direction I was taking with my art, so I’m grateful to take some of that power back.

If there is one thing that you want art enthusiasts to remember you by, what would it be?

Body positivity. I would love for them to remember that there is an artist making work that is making people feel good about themselves and about the way they look at themselves.

Top tips on setting up an Artist Alley booth?

Have a method of taking money, have a method of displaying your work, and have a way to take a break. I have a plastic picnic cover that costs like a dollar at any store. All I have to do is clip it to my display grates, and it covers up my entire display. I feel secure enough to take time for myself in a 10-hour workday to eat something, go to the restroom, or even take a moment to breathe and reorganize my inventory. So it’s so funny that this one-dollar piece of plastic is like the most life-saving item in my display of items.

Who on Tumblr inspires you and why?

@mayakern comes to mind. She is another body-positive artist who expanded into making body-positive clothing. She’s amazing, and just to see someone else out there promoting body positivity. Maya’s been doing it longer than I have, I believe. It feels good to know that I’m not alone. Her work is always stunning, and I love her body-positive DnD characters and the fact that she’s still plowing through the clothing industry. For example, she’s expanded from skirts to button-downs and even custom-wrap shirts. I love to see what she’s doing, and it inspires me to pursue different avenues with my own work.

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing, Jiji! Be sure to check out their Tumblr blog over at @jijidraws.

[idledee]

Your use of colour is mesmerising, I let my eyes unfocus and still enjoy your illustration… how do you choose your colour palettes and manage to keep them across the whole illustration (low contrast but amazing hues)?

Also what artists do you look up to/study in learning how to colour?

hello, what a fun question!!! id like to take this opportunity to talk about one of my biggest source of inspiration-- the art of onmyoji: the card game. there are tons of artists who work on it but all the pieces done for the game are gorgeous showstopping breathtaking... theyre a huge source of inspo for me for composition, color, and overall style. i really recommend taking a look at the art!!! i learned a lot by staring at them!!!!! here are some of my favs: (i apologize for no artist credits bc its quite hard for me to find them, but if u search "onmyoji commission" on twitter u can find a few artists!) also for long post lol

YA in conclusion everyone hates this game and no one plays it except me and like 12 japanese players but i be grinding bc i love staring at the art

[yooniesim]

Small Simblr Saturday Appreciation Post 💜

Hey y'all! Since @tau1tvec came up with the idea for this event, I thought I'd shout out some of my personal favorite always free creators :)

To start it off though, you know I gotta recommend @alwaysfreecc, the finds blog currently managed by myself, @superflare, @nicatnite88, and @toastie-sim! We only reblog cc creators that are always free (no exclusive or early access) and use the tag #alwaysfreecc to find your posts! If you're an always free cc creator, please use the tag and/or mention the finds blog so we can get your catalog reblogged there 😌 now, onto the list~!

@xiuminuwu - a creator I've really been loving lately! they have a variety of cute cc, including poses and unique, fashionable clothing~

@hexcodesims - a very underrated creator with tons of clothing edits for masc frame sims, I also love their big bud press palette~

@herecirmsims - makes amaaaazing unique poses for a variety of situations

@adelarsims - has awesome ideas that you wouldn't think of, amazing variety of cc like hello

@janjumjam - adorable cc for kids, gives me happy feels and nostalgia

@ceeproductions - some of my fav cc on this site, great variety for both masc and fem frame

@powluna - super cute items for kiddos... a staple in the mods folder

@ssspringroll - occult cc for daysss, cool sliders and presets, they got it all

@nicatnite88 - yes I'm biased, but the variety and hustle cannot be denied, just look at the amount of cc!

@bobnewbie - hairs, facial hairs, accessories, gorgeous sims... what else could you want?

@darlyssims - UNIQUE. really cool ideas for hairs, accessories, and more

@cliffirem - clothes and hairs with an alt twist i really enjoy

@sammi-xox - beautiful skinblends and super useful skin details

@warwickroyals - gorgeous formalwear, especially good for all you royal simblrs!

@marsosims - cute cute cute all over... hairs, clothes, even build/buy cc!! we stan

@whyhellosims - lots of stuff for kids, build buy cc, and a slant of humor!

@creamlattedream - masc cc staple in this house, lots of cute recolors and casual wear

@pluto-sims - the cutest patterns EVER, adorable kids clothing, posters and walls~

@deathpoke1qa - unique is my word for the day bc my lord... it's popping off! alt staples you can't miss

@icchixxxxxx1 - hairs hairs hairs... and more cute hairs! if you like the cutesy anime look but still mm, go here

@mellosakicc - so. many. t-shirts. but also other clothing, tats, and hairs! another alt cc maker with work ethic for days

@whirliko - cute bright recolors... we have no choice but to stan the pop of color

@shandir - conversions, historical, occult, variety... hello??? get going

@mangosimoothie - the ideas are popping... once again things that would never pop into my brain but are brilliant... just go look and see what I mean

@igorstory - facial hair... a totally unrepresented niche of sims cc.. I have all their stuff... download it

@madameriasims4 - CLASSICS. STAPLES. I use their clothes all the time and they also got build/buy stuff.

@aniraklova - alt & punk vibes to the tippy top, fallout, chains, mohawks, whats not to love??

@pixelunivairse - ONE OF MY FAVS. use their cc constantly for my fem frame sims. uses tons of cute patterns that I love

@demondare-sims - cas cc i love, I use it pretty much every time I play, mm and practical

@fiftymilehighclub - talking about work ethic, it's here... so many recolors in bomb palettes that you'll never download them all... or can you??? try

@sforzcc - retired from cc making, but I gotta recommend, bc I use their wardrobe sooo much... brilliant

@casteru/@woosteru - also retired, but same as #16, I use their cc every day!

@xldkx-cc - am I just listing staples of my mods folder now? yes!! I am not biased!! go and get all that cas cc and poses and deco sims NOW!!

@a-luckyday - if you don't know ms a luckyday poses u have not lived in life!! they have a huge amount of them, solo, couple, group, accessories, and more

@gothoffspring - really cute and vibey recolors, I use them a lot, also some build buy items too!!

@jellymoo - we love the clothing... mm aesthetic to the core and cute af

@gladlypants - lotsa adorable items I adore, variety of patterns too

@birksche - tons, I mean TONS of hairs bro, years worth, always free... a treasure trove

@teekalu - supreme maxis match, vanilla vibes that are so lovely... ideal for low cc players

@honeyssims4 - poses, honey!!! the variety will shock you. and they ALL look good

@sewerwolfx - really cool stuff with alt style, some recolors and some from SCRATCH, we love to see it

@historysims4 - historical cc from many different eras!! iconic

@hamsterbellbelle - some of the most unique scifi cc i ever seen... idk how they even make some of that stuff! must see

@surely-sims - beautiful legendary amazing gorgeous never been done before... their fallout inspired cc made me weep and almost solely furnished one of my households, work

...annnndddd I hit my limit!!! I guess thats it for now but maybe a part two... 😉

[deadghosy]

VEES MEETING MY VERSION OF Y/N

Part 1 part2

WARNING: VALENTINO 🤮, swearing, and foul language.

I listened to Edit audios while making this to feel something🤭

YOU ENTERED the Vee's tower to see......a bunch of things you didn't care about as you are only here to see what the fuck they want.  Neno slithers around the area, you sighed worried for Charlie as she must be waiting for you at home as you did say you would be there. You only hummed as you heard clacks of shoes coming towards you, you whistle loudly as Neno warps around you in a haze.

You turn to see the man himself, Vox with... (GAGGG) Valentino behind him smirking as he holds his cigarette between his hands. You stare at them with a blank look as Vox smiles his shit eating grin. Velvette walks in as well sitting down on one of the couch's wanting to watch this go down.

"Happy to see you. Ain't this an amazing reunion my friend." Vox says putting his arm around your shoulder and pinching your cheek. You turn to vapor and move away from him as Vox smirks at your reaction to him being close to you. You narrowed your eyes.

"Did you really fucking invite me in your home only to annoy me?" You said as your eye twitched. Vox can hear the whispers of your back getting slight loud due to your emotions. "What? Of courseeee not my dear friend." He says walking to you having his hands behind his back. "We're here to offer you something [Y/N]! We just to help you."

The last words he said went to static as he used one of his eyes that swirl. He was clearly trying to use his hypnosis on you, but you weren't buying it as you had Neno cover his vision of you.

Vox grunts waving Neno away as Neno snickers going over to you as you tried to leave. Key word, TRIED! Valentino grabbed your arm pulling to his chest as he used his other arm to pull your chin to face him.

"Woah woah, where are you going~" he said with a slight purr as he grabs your hand and kisses it leaving red saliva. You cringed as you immediately stepped on his foot making him yelp holding it. Velvette chuckled with an amused smile.

Neno held your hand as they wipe off the red saliva with a noticeable frown. You had a scowl at how he tried that shit on you, but it seemed to turn Valentino on a bit. After he calmed down he puffs in his cigarette with a grin showing off his gold tooth with his other sharp teeth.

"I knew I liked them fiesty. Even if it's the princessa's pet~" he says staring at you up and down with a lick of his lips as he blow red smokes towards you. Before it would reach you, your sharp grayscale/[color palette] wings blocked it as you had enough.

"Try that shit again...I will rip your arms off and feed you for the whole cannibal town to feast on your worthless, disgusting body..." you said warning him with sharp teeth grin as a black shadow takes over your face only showing your eyes and mouth. (Kinda like mandela catalogue)

Vox stepped in between you and Valentino with a tight smile as he could tell you weren't playing around as your eyes shake between him and the pimp behind him. Your eyes were crazy looking you stood still.

"Now now, we can't have this as the first impression of the Vee's." Vox says pulling Val by his arm only to put his arm around Valentino's shoulder. "Right Val?" He says using his hypnosis slightly on him. Valentino pouts slightly but regains his smile as he stand up straight.

Your "face" gets wiped off quickly as you sighed at this waste of time. Vox explained about this "meeting" he planned as it's been a while he talked to you. He dragged you to this office place as the two other Vee's are between you and Vox. You rolled your eyes as you sat where you could see all three of them at the same time. Velvette still on her phone, Vox smiling at you with his grin and hands cupped together on table, and Valentino smiling as he wiggles his fingers at you.

You narrows your eyes as you pulled out a file and start to file down your nails, "Alright, spill the shits. I got time to go and a place to be"

"I want you to join Voxtech. It will amazing to have you and your stern and forward personality on my team. Maybe even a contract." Vox says smiling crazily at you

"Or maybe you can work for me doll.~" Val says eyeing your chest as you narrowed your eyes putting your file up. "I mean, your body is just magnificent with the curves and the hips you got." You could've swear his saliva was seeping through his mouth which made you scrunch up your face.

"I want you to be a model for me. You got the fierce look for it. Plus like this dickwad said. You have the perfect body for it." The female V says lastly as you stare with an amused smile. But the smile starts to crack as you laugh holding your stomach.

The Vee's glance at each other confused as they stare back at you while Neno stays beside you.

———

AFTER LAUGHING at their offers for who god knows for long. You couldn't help but smile at the fact they actually want you on your team when it's damn well known in hell you would do anything to protect the princess of hell and king. Hell even your friends.

"Damn you guys are fuckin' worthless..." you said crossing your leg over your other leg as Neno purrs over your shoulder. Neno snickers with a shark like smile at the three Vee's who seemed a little stumped at how you rejected their offer.

"I'll show you worthless!" Vox says slamming his hand down on the table as he stares at you with a slight glitch in his body movement

You raised a brow as you chuckled to yourself covering your smug smile behind your hand. "Eww.." you said as you crossed your arms switching your crossed legs.

Vox actually felt ticked off staring at your calm and teasing posture not actually a pissed one he had seen yesterday. Valentino stops his lustful gaze as he turned sour, Velvette just flips you off as you smile and flip her off kissing your middle finger. Today you felt a little cunty as you smirked at the two male overlords staring angrily at you.

"Listen, I don't want to be a sex worker. So fuck you." You said flipping off Valentino who lets out a moth squeak pissed off. "And I don't see why you want me to be here for this little ass meeting or reunion you called it earlier. Because honey, it's worthless for me to be here with the three little bitches."

You said with slight venom with your voice as Neno lets out an airy chuckle. You got up and left with a bow as Valentino just stares at you with a snobby look raising his brow. Velvette actually smiles at how you stood on your ground. Vox was glitching in anger as he claws something by him with his nails/claws staring at you.

You smirked pulling out your hands like a cat that show more sharper than his. "Oh sweetie...I can do that too hoe! What a surprise." You said lastly leaving as the last thing you heard was Vox yelling after you.

"YOU FUCKING BIT-"

But you already teleport as vapor to the hotel as you sat on your bed with Neno who swirls around you with whispers. You chuckle lowly as your room starts to light up as you stare down at Neno who swirls around you.

"Next time they try this shit on me. I'm going to fuck up their lives and make them a laughing stock." You say with glowing white eyes matching Neno's eyes as he smiles his sharp white teeth. He nods laughing as whispers get loud with a purr.

[comicaurora]

Hi! I finally got the chance to read Aurora a bit ago. It's a wonderful story--all I was expecting and better! I was particularly amazed and delighted by the artwork and visual mechanics used to tell the story, so I wrote a post to yell about how cool it is and break some of it down. (No criticism, just praise.) I'm mostly a hobbyist, so I'm hoping I've done it justice.

That said: zero pressure to read it or respond to this ask. Normally I wouldn't send it since I tagged, but I know Tumblr's notifs are a mess and things get lost very easily. I've been in both the "one (1) word of praise will feed me for a year" and the "oh gods don't talk about my writing/art because anything that seems Off will break my brain" modes before, and I absolutely don't want to push or make you uncomfortable!

If you are comfortable, however, I wanted to ask about your use of what I'm assuming are Screen and blending modes in sound effect words. (I'm only guessing that's the technique, though, so I could be totally wrong about how it's done! I'm mostly experienced in image manipulation in Photoshop.) Making them semi-transparent over the actions is genius :) What inspired you to do that, and are there specific techniques you use to make it work?

Same questions go for using specific colors to distinguish different characters' words and actions. I really noticed it in the cave sequence with Falst and Dainix, since their colors are so vivid in the dark (ex. Falst's little swats and Dainix's swooping kick at 1.20.9). It lends excellent clarity to busy scenes.

Thanks! Have a lovely day, enjoy your break, and happy holidays <3

You're correct about the technique! "Screen" is the blend mode I use most often for sound effects. I stumbled on it mostly through trial and error - I love how sound effects add depth to a comic panel, but it's very easy for them to obscure the art in a way I find counterproductive, so "Screen" lets me put the sound effect directly over the origin of the sound while still letting it be visible through the word. Early chapters didn't have it as much-

Most of the sound effects in early chapters are just solid colors with reduced opacity if I'm feeling fancy. But I started figuring it out around chapter 8 and 9, because Falst is kind of a sound-effect-heavy guy, especially in his fight scenes.

In order to make sure they don't impede the visibility of the action, I'll often soft-erase the top or bottom half of the SFX to reduce its opacity while still leaving it readable.

I'll usually double that up with an outline on the SFX so it's still readable. This is an especially important consideration if the SFX goes over an area of the background that's very bright or glowing.

Color-coding the speed lines and SFX to the character or force causing them isn't a hard and fast rule, but I like using it (in part because it's a habit from the OSP illustrations, where every character has a single pop of color in their lineart) mostly because it sort of codes every sound to make it clear where it's emanating from, or the general feeling of the sound. Since I normally do character-colors for SFX, something like this stands out more jarringly-

Which it's supposed to, but a big lightning strike doesn't register as anything too worrying because it's just Tess up to her usual shenanigans.

It's also very useful for magic effects, because each form of magic has its own associated palette.

And when I had a very complicated fight scene in a dark environment, I used the texture pattern I'd already made for the monster to color its SFX, so when I Screened them onto the panels they didn't obscure too much while still communicating "this is something else."

Changing the weight, lined-vs-not-lined, and opacity of the SFX words also helps to communicate that not every sound has the same feeling. A strong motion is solid and aggressive, but a crackling, unstable sound is more ephemeral and staticky.

It's definitely been a process of learning as I go - looking back at the earlier chapters I can actually see when I first tried various tricks I now use regularly, like doubling and distorting an SFX to produce the effect of a camera-shaking impact. I haven't really seen any other comics that do it like I do, probably because most other comics follow a more traditional production pipeline where text bubbles and sound effects get locked into the composition early, before the inking stage, because traditional physical comics don't have digital-art layers to play with. Adding sound effects to a page is almost the last thing I do before exporting them, and that only works because digital art and layers allow for a ton of flexibility.

[unniekiwi]

Zhongli with male reader who is also a dragon but never changes forms ever but Zhongli wants to invite him to meet the traveler and Childe for dinner and just for zhongli he does

“Im (name) mortals”

“nice to meet you! You must be mister zhongli’s friend”

“Oh no, he is not my friend but my spouse”

“WHAT!?” I imagine reader is really pretty and still have draconic features even in human form

I'm back from the death-

Not gonna lie, I imagined [Name] utterly good-looking.

꒱࿐♡ ˚.*ೃ꒱࿐♡ ˚.*ೃ꒱࿐♡ ˚.*ೃ

꒱࿐♡ ˚.*ೃ꒱࿐♡ ˚.*ೃ꒱࿐♡ ˚.*ೃ

– Sweetheart, you don’t stop talking about that… mortal traveler and their flying friend. – Zhongli’s eyes rested on his mate’s dragon form; an elegant black-red and gold dragon who was resting in the air looking at his humanized mate. – Are they so amazing that they are more astonishing than me? – The dragon jokes with a strong but gentle voice at Zhongli.

– Love. You know that no one can beat your dazzling personality and beauty… – Zhongli responded to his partner by petting the furry scalp of the dragon. The dragon grumbles, satisfied by his mate's answer. – Would you do something for me, please? – Zhongli said, looking at the red eyes of his mate, which made [Name] stare at Zhongli's eyes. – Would you go for dinner with me and my mortal friends…? – he made a little pause and sat next to the dragon. – I beg you, please? I would love it if you met my friends… – Zhongli looked at his partner, he knew how he didn’t like being in his human form, but he wanted his cute [Name] to meet his friends.

[Name] thought about it, he had really bad experiences every time he swapped into his human form. But meeting the friends that made his mate finally a bit happier made [Name] not think too much about it.

– Alright. Anything for you my sweet thing…- [Name] said looking into Zhonli’s eyes.

– They're late… – Childe said, looking at Traveler and Paimon who was impatient to eat Xianglin’s tasty food. That’s when the door opened and lots of voices were heard, the eyes of the three mortals were surprised and stuck to the door. They were seeing the most majestic human ever? Traveler’s eyes shone when they saw the solemn male beside Zhongli.

– Mortals are so agitated – [Name] said calmly and annoyedly. Zhongli chuckled a bit at his mate. The people of Liyue recognized them in the instant and followed them.

– Friends… Meet [Name] my Adeptus mate… – Zhongli introduced [Name] calmly and happily. He was pleased by the delighted faces of his mortal friends, they seemed to enjoy his mate’s elegant and luxurious looks. [Name] liked wearing dark kimonos when he was in his human shape, colors that matched his body and his physical palette, which made him absolutely stunning to everyone.

– Nice to meet you! You must be Mister Zhongli’s friend. – Traveler asked [Name] politely and interested in the attractive male.

– Oh no, he is not my friend… but my Spouse. – [Name] said smiling showing his cute fangs mentioning his Spouse Zhongli. Did they think that they were only close friends? Oh, how naive mortals are…

– He is your Spouse!? – Paimon asked loudly to Zhongli not expecting him to have a partner. – Do you always pay for everything? – The flying girl asked again, sounding a bit hesitant as Childe and Traveler looked a bit stunned because of the information they just received. As [Name] chuckled at the words of the flying girl, Zhongli hid his blush by looking away; he always referred to [Name] as his mate, not Partner or Spouse.

– Are you guys good listeners? Because you might wanna hear some stories about this absent-minded Adeptus… – [Name] smirked playfully as he sat down with the mortals and his Spouse. It was going to be a long and embarrassing dinner, that’s for sure.

[itsfairly]

Primer, Eyeliner, and Kisses to Top it Off // Levi Ackerman x gn!reader

Word Count: ~2.2k

Summary: Doing Levi's makeup cuz he's pretty like that.

Notes: Modern!AU, established relationship, fluff and fluff.

A/N: First, one-shot, let's give it a shot.

"No."

"Come on, Levi. Please?"

Levi looks at you, makeup brushes on your hand and a pleading look in your eyes, and sighs. It's not like he was uncomfortable with the idea of wearing makeup or any bullshit that other guys would have complained about. It just wasn't his thing. He did, however, like seeing you do your makeup. He would be in the room, silently watching you while you played around with your eyeshadows and eyeliner. So when he saw your products on the bed rather than on your desk and that grin on your face as you looked at him, he knew what was up.

"I promise I'll make you pretty." You said, looking up at him from the bed with the smallest pout on your lips.

Damn. You were pretty convincing.

Or he was just easy to convince when it came to you.

"I thought I was already pretty." He walked toward the bed sitting beside you, careful to not sit on top of any of your products. You never stopped telling him how pretty he was when you two began dating, and maybe even before. Soon enough, he became used to hearing that and stopped talking back when you said it, often complimenting you back or caressing your hand.

"Sorry. Prettier." You corrected yourself as you leaned toward him to give him a slight peck on his cheek, pulling back with a really pretty smile that made his heart flutter.

"Alright, just because we're staying in tonight. I'll be your makeup dummy." He sighed. Yup, he was easy to convince.

You thanked him, practically bouncing on the bed from glee. Since it was pretty late, you decided to ditch the whole foundation deal. Not like he needed that anyways, he took good care of his skin to the point it looked practically flawless. 

You took the makeup products from the bed into your hands and kneeled on the mattress, turning to ask, "I'm going to need you to sit against the bed frame".

"For? I've seen you do your makeup almost anywhere." That was not an exaggeration. From the bedroom floor to the dinner table to the bathroom sink, you've practically done your makeup in each room of the place. Plus the car, which amazes him considering you're driving some of those times.

"It's different. I'm not doing my makeup, I'm doing yours. So I need you to be still." You moved to the bed frame where the pillows are, plus a few of the stuffed animals Levi has gotten you over the years, patting the place beside you.

He huffs but doesn't complain as he crawls to the place beside you. Sitting against the bed frame, he looks at you. "Better?"

You nod, setting yourself between his legs and getting ready to have your fun. After Levi closes his eyes, you grab your eye primer and put a little bit on his eyelids to blend it out with a sponge.

"Do you know what you're doing with my face?" He asked, his hands instinctively sitting on your waist.

"Rude." You said, blowing a bit on his eyes to let the primer set.

"You know what I meant." His tone gets softer as he feels you blow his eyelids.

"I know, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity." You giggle, grabbing a makeup brush and opening your palettes. "I don't have a specific look in mind other than eyeliner."

"Why the eyeliner specifically?"

"A) 'Cause it's a must and B) because you would look amazingly gorgeous with eyeliner."

"Is that so?"

You hum, looking over your eyeshadows to decide which colors to put on his face. You swipe the brush across the eye shadow and tap it against the palette lid, seeing the excess falling from the blush in a pretty dance that gets lost in the air.

"Your eyes are just eyeliner-ready. I wouldn't be surprised if you told me you have worn it before." You giggle as you gently tap the brush around his eye crease, giving his eyelid this colorful aura surrounding it.

He chuckles, caressing your waist with his thumbs. He has gotten that comment before from you—"your eyes are just so sharp it looks like you're wearing eyeliner!" Albeit, it is a pretty specific observation. But when he learned that you felt better with your makeup when it had eyeliner, he thought it was a unique compliment. He took it to heart and remembered it every time you made your eyeliner.

After you finished the outer crease on both of his eyes, you grabbed another brush and dab it on a lighter color for his lid. With a few strokes on each eye, you looked back. "Open your eyes, please," you asked, wanting to look at how it looked on him.

He opened his eyes, looking at you. Then up and down, as you asked him. He saw your face furrowing in concentration as you determined whether they looked similar enough. He knew you did a good job without having to see it for himself. To him, your makeup always looked amazing, even more so when he considered the time and space where you did it.

"They look great." He assured you, his eyes softening as he wrapped his hand around yours, intertwining his fingers with you.

You squeezed his hand and gave him a soft kiss at the tip of his nose. "Thank you, but you haven't seen it yet. And won't until it's all done."

"I don't need to see it to know how it looks," he said, feeling his heart flutter at the feeling of your lips on him. "I can see how hard you're concentrating." The furrowed look on your face was the telltale sign.

"Well, that's because the hard part is the eyeliner." You exhaled as you grabbed your eyeliner and turned back to face him.

He closed his eyes, waiting for you to continue.

"Levi," you called. He opened one eye, looking at you with a raised brow. "I need my hand."

"No, you don't. Do it without it." He closed his eye, dismissing your request.

"It's gonna look sketchy!" you cried out. He could hear the smile on your face as you complained.

"It's alright, I don't mind that."

"I do!" You laughed. "Can I have my hand back so I can make you prettier?"

He tsked, not really wanting to let go of it. He did though and you thanked him with another kiss on his cheek. Tit for tat, he thought, it was a fair trade: your hand back for a kiss.

You let out a sigh and returned to the task at hand—doing the eyeliner. You were used to doing it on yourself, sure. But on other people? It could get messy and it did most of the time.

The first swipe looked nice. A straight black line from the tip of his eye. Good.

You tried to replicate it with his other eye. This one looked a bit more curvy. Mm, maybe curving the other would do. After a couple of small strokes on the first eyes, you looked back. Mm, the angle was off for a bit. You sighed again, wanting the wings to look like cousins at least.

In the midst of your concentration, you feel Levi's hand return to your waist, earning a loud inhale from you. "Don't move." You told him with a hurried tone, although it sounded more for you than for him.

He had to fight the chuckle forming in his throat, knowing it would make you panic if you ruined the look so far. He just set his hands at your waist again, enjoying the warmth from your body.

After a couple of fixes, the wings finally looked related enough. You'll take it, it's a win. You filled in the eyeliner, black coming into the look with each swipe. "Open."

He opened his eyes and it was better than expected. They were not sisters, definitely not twins, but they were cousins, and that's good enough. You were right though, he looked amazing with eyeliner on. His eyes looked sharper, if that’s possible, and more defined. Dare to say, he looked hot with it.

Letting out a breath, you smile at him. "Knew that eyeliner would look good on you."

He chuckled, finally letting his hands caress all the way down to your thighs. "What am I missing?" He asked, looking up at you.

"Easy stuff really. I'm almost done."

Some white eyeshadow on his eye corner, brushing his eyebrows (they already looked great, you didn't fill them in), and a few kisses he stole here and there when he could. You leaned back to look over his face. Men should wear makeup more often, they would look great on it and Levi is proof of it. You have to shake your head to snap out of it and resist the temptation of putting the makeup away and getting on top of him to kiss him.

"Alright, I'm just missing something on your lips and I'm done."

You reached into your makeup bag, looking around at the colors you had before landing on a subtle but defined color. Lifting up his chin gently with one hand, you started to apply his lipstick once he opened his mouth slightly.

"Rub your lips together to get the color in." You told him. He looked absolutely adorable as he moved his lips against each other, it was as if he was getting used to the feeling of it.

"Some setting spray and...done!" You said, smiling at him as you set your hands above his on your thighs.

"Can I look now?" He asked. It's not like he wanted to know how good you did. Of course not, he already knew you did your best and your best was incredible, especially when it came to this. But he did want to know how he looked with the makeup you did on him.

You nodded, getting up from between his legs. He got up from the bed, stretched his body, and headed to your dresser where you had your makeup station, including a mirror big enough for the both of you. He stepped in front of the mirror, with you following close by as you set your head on his shoulder to look at his reaction.

His eyes scan his face, appreciating the new colors that set on his face. It wasn't like he was made to look like someone else, but the makeup simply enhanced his features. To you, you did an okay job, picking apart the asymmetry and smudges in your work. To him, you did an amazing job, one that he would not mind you doing again.

"And?" You asked, a smile setting on your face but your eyes worried about his reaction. After all, he was still looking and not reacting much.

"I guess you were right. Eyeliner is pretty cool." His lips curled into a small smile, showing he was proud of and amazed by your work.

You gave him a kiss on the cheek, continuing to admire your work. "I told you!" You chuckled. "Although that lipstick color suits you well too. Funny, considering it's my favorite one"

"This one?" He asked, turning to look at you.

"Yup, I like the color." You said, not really thinking much of your answer.

Levi takes your face in both of his hands and starts to pepper kisses all over your face. Cheeks, nose, forehead, jaw, and finally lips. Oh and does he stay on your lips for a while. It's a pretty innocent kiss nonetheless, one meant to show his appreciation for you.

You giggle along with each kiss, humming when he reaches your lips. Setting your arms around his neck, you kiss him back. He pulls back, giving you one last kiss on your temple, and looks at you.

"What?" You asked, noticing how his eyes were scanning your face.

"Just wanted to know how it looked on you." He tilts his head towards the mirror. You follow his head, looking into the mirror as your hands reach up to your face without touching it. It looks like Levi also did your makeup today, although in a much more abstract way.

Kiss marks littered all over your face with your favorite lipstick color.

"I think it's my favorite lipstick too." He says, noticing how a faint pink spreads across your cheeks with your smile.

Neither of you takes off the makeup for a little while, opting to go to the kitchen to have dinner and then watch a movie together. As you are choosing the movie and Levi prepares some popcorn, you hear your phone buzz.

You picked it up, not thinking much of it, answering the video call. "Hey, Hange. What’s up?" You greet them, noticing their eyes widen at the screen.

"Wow, hey, your face looks different." They tease as a huge grin starts forming on their face.

You look at your little rectangle at the call, remembering the kiss marks all over your face.

"Did you have to answer?" Levi asks when he sits next to you on the couch, accidentally entering into the frame.

Hange just seems to grin wider, if that's possible, as their screen starts to flash constantly. Noticing what's going on, Levi takes the phone. "Don't show it to anyone, four eyes." He threatens them.

On cue, both of your phones ring from a notification from the group chat. You two look at Hange, who just says in their defense, "[Name] did a great job though!"

[jaketsparrow]

Tending Part 4!

Pairing: Jake Kiszka x f! Reader

Word Count: 9.7K

A/N: That last chapter was… a lot. A little change of pace this time :) I’m so very sorry this took so long, but I was captivated with one of my other 8 million hobbies. 

A special shout out to @gvfpal for being an amazing person and helping me with this chapter! 🫶

MINORS DNI

MENTIONS OF/ TW: Soft Jake (I’m sorry), fluffy stuff, fingering (F! Receiving), swearing, sexually explicit content, teasing/edging, *some* angst :)

MASTERPOST

It's hard to tell when the morning comes. The blackout curtains in the room offer no indication of the time. Your naked body still rests between the maroon sheets; cozied between the layers. You turned yourself away from him during the night; he chose a better spooning position that almost made you jump on him. He was so close, pressing himself into you with slow thrusts. If only his boxer briefs hadn’t been there…

You turn yourself to face Jake… Except… Like always- he’s not there. A sigh escapes your disappointed lips. 

Why is he always gone? 

You wish just one time you could wake up next to him and surprise him with your own sort of morning treat. You wish you could feel more than just the nights with him. Would that be asking for too much intimacy? Too much too soon? 

Maybe for him, but for you it was all you wanted. Sexual intimacy can be enough, but knowing someone like Jake, he was always going to leave you wanting more. This was a fun game to him, knowing you’d get worked up and upset by his absence. He was right of course, but you wish for once you’d have all the cards. 

After last night you finally thought you had turned into something worth his time. But in reality, Jake wouldn’t change that quickly, he just needed to do enough for you to forgive him. You fell for it and would continue to. He was your addiction, and you would continue being strung out for his attention. 

Jake’s house was the perfect blend of clean but disorganized. You imagined this space is exactly how the inside of his brain looked. Every surface was clean, but stacks of information and knick-knacks pile on bookshelves, and musical paraphernalia was placed everywhere. It was not messy, but actually strategic and logically arranged artifacts. 

The house opens directly into the mellow-vibed living room. The area is occupied by a luxurious and worn brown leather couch and an orange cloth armchair. The floor has been covered in a dusty blue rug that sat underneath the wooden coffee table, which was covered in sheet music. The opposite wall had a modestly sized TV and next to it a large stereo system. Speakers litter the floor around a turntable, and vinyls sit in a crate directly next to it. The walls house several different vintage posters; some movies, and some travel. All with muted color palettes of earth tones. 

There were no overhead lights in use, but rather a few soft lamps that provided an ambient glow to the space. A perfect cozy retreat… An artist’s cave. 

Nothing in the room matched each other, but it all fit seamlessly. Like an amalgamation of collected objects that he just had to have in his life. It was like he ran into an antique store and had to grab everything in sight as quick as he could. 

Jake ushered you further into the room, gently nudging you with his hand on your hip. Your eyes continue to wander the space, taking in every inch, trying to absorb every moment. This brief glimpse into Jake’s life is rare, and you spare no time trying to analyze it all. 

For the past week, you tried not to think about Jake. It was hard to imagine him not in your life, even though he had only been a presence for a short time. 

That’s the thing about obsessions, you rely on them to be there constantly. You can obsess over a band, you can also obsess over a favorite TV show or a celebrity, and the best part about it- they’re always there. You can always find them. With Jake, he was an obsession that could never really be yours. You would have to chase down any information out of him. It was practically an interrogation with him, playing good cop bad cop to try and fish anything personal out. 

He was your new addiction. It was sad to say that you could become addicted to someone like him, but it was easy to miss him. Every moment you wish would have lasted a little longer, every time you woke up hoping he was there with you, every shift you hoped he would be there. He was the strongest drug you’ve ever tried. You relied on his praise, on him noticing you. It was maybe unhealthy, but the need you had for him felt justified. 

Everything felt worth it in that moment. Being allowed into his home was like stepping into a new form of intimacy. The dark and mysterious Jake wasn’t as mysterious as he used to be. He was opening his world to you. It was like walking out of a dark room and into day glow. It felt like finally finding that stupid puzzle piece you searched hours for, that you finally found and could place. 

Today sitting in the field was the most romantic moment of your life, even if you were dragged there against your will. It made the possibility of you two seem real. You didn’t want to feel hopeful just yet, but the companionship you felt today did nothing but warm you.  

You decide it would probably be best to say something instead of being in your usual silent shock, “Wow… Jake, this is a… really nice space…” 

He squeezes your hip and blushes at your compliment. 

“Thanks, uh… like yours, my personality kinda just took over.” He abandons your side and walks over to the turntable in the corner of the room. He leans down to the box of vinyls; sifting through a few before turning back to you. He tucks the hair that falls in front of his eyes, “What do you like to listen to?”

“Um… Anything really,” You take a few steps further into the living room to try and get a better look at his collection. Pushing forward slightly, tucking your hands behind you to distract them from awkwardly moving about. You don’t recognize much of the music in the case; of course, he wouldn’t be the kind to collect anything too popular. It looks like a collection of old blues, rock, and well really the classics. 

Jake finally settles on what looks like a blues album and pulls the record from its sleeve. The jacket is old and tattered, well used most likely or second hand. He slowly lowers it to the turntable and starts it on a low volume. The crackles of the vinyl start and the first song echoes softly across the decorated walls. He takes a step back and rests his hands on his hips, admiring his choice. 

Jake has this look of pure accomplishment, like he just couldn’t stand how proud he was. It was honestly adorable. A huge smirk is creeping over him and his eyes are excited and wide. 

He stares at the spinning music for a moment, before turning his gaze back to you. You feel so awkward standing there in his home. Before, he had only been in your space, a comfortable option. But now you werre in his home, taking possibly the biggest step you two had taken yet. 

It still feels out of place for you to be somewhere with him other than the bar. The past couple of months that was the only place you were even able to see him. There were no outside events between you two, no mutual friends to visit, no one went out for drinks after work because you had already been drinking. Before that first night, Jake was like an enigma, only appearing behind the bar when called. 

That one night together changed everything. You saw the full range of Jake’s emotions in just a short time, and you saw your full range of feelings for Jake. There was no denying that you’ve already suffered the worst of your relationship already, and just hoped for more moments like this. Discovering and unearthing the man you knew he could be. 

“Do you recognize it yet?” He asks. 

“What? The song?” 

“Yeah!” He grabs your hand and brings you closer to the record player. He squats down and turns up the volume with a slight crank. He points to his ear, “Listen…”

You lean down to get a better look at the sleeve and hear the rhythm better. The melody does sound familiar, but you can’t place where you heard it. You tap your fingers over your thigh, trying to feel the beat. The artist nor album rings any bells, but you can’t place why you remember the song… 

Until it hits you. 

“Oh! Your band!” You exclaim, “This is the song you guys opened with at the bar!”

He smiles at your realization. He can finally trust that you have good ears. Jake lifts himself from his low position and grabs your hands to bring you up with him. He reaches for your waist and pulls you in.

“Yeah…” He gazes at your eyes and smirks at you, “This is one of our favorites.”

He has a different feeling than usual, his aura is warm and comforting. All the rough edges that you thought about this past week were smoothing out in front of your eyes. Its like he’s sculpting a new version of his personality for only you to see. 

You reach your hands out to wrap them around his neck, draping yourself over him. He returns the favor by reaching up the back of your shirt, caressing you closer against his body. 

These were the things you had missed most. Feeling special to him. His touch was warm… Gentle. He wanted you to feel cared for in that moment. He couldn’t bear to keep any verbal apologies going, but these soft gestures were enough to make you whole. It was like he was tending to your wounds. 

You felt like you finally were allowed to have some control over what happened between you. He wanted you. At least that’s what he said…

The flattery of knowing that he chose you over Mariella did something. You knew Mariella would have been anyone else’s first choice. She was a beautiful woman but lacked something compared to you. You try not to compare yourself to her, because right now, there was no need to. 

“Dance with me?” You ask.

Jake laughs softly and shakes his head, “No, no. I don’t dance.”

“C’mon!” You plead, you’re so giddy to get him to cave,  “It's the least you can do to make this week up for me,”

He throws his head back, laughing again. 

You reach your hands further back to hold his head in your hands; gently running your fingers through his scalp. His hair is soft between you, freshly washed, silky even. He purrs softly at your petting. He also craved this softness, but he would deny it. 

He lowers his head back down to look at you, smirking. His big brown eyes completely melt you every time you get to look this closely at them. It’s like that night in the bar all over again, back to a sense of normalcy. Joking and playing with each other, trying your best to awkwardly flirt. 

Jake is so handsome tonight, you think to yourself. When is he ever not though? He was quite possibly the most attractive man you’ve ever seen, with intrusive tendencies that make your heart go wild, which might not be the best. There is no such thing as perfection, you remind yourself. He was going to try his best, and you would try yours to be patient with him.

“Maybe another time,” He answers, “Just listen to the music.”

You giggle at him and move your hands back down around his shoulders. They’re strong and sure. He’s at the perfect height that you don’t have to lift yourself too high to rest on him. You lay your head in the center of his chest, molding yourself to his body. You can hear his heartbeat gently beating. Oh, thank god, you had worried maybe he didn’t have one. 

“I don’t listen with my ears,” You whisper

You use what little force you carry and gently sway him between your arms. Rocking your hips back and forth. He tries his hardest to fight your movements, but you can tell he wants to give in. Soon, he subdues his fighting, and leans into the swing. Shuffling his feet tightly; lightly stepping around yours. 

You try your best to be sultry and coy, “I like to feel the music and do what it tells me,” 

He lets out a faint chuckle and gives in further to your swaying. You rock back and forth across the floor, each step moving you further into the room. You try to help him lead the way, but ultimately take control of the movements. 

He lets you take control in this moment; finally letting you show him how to be gentle. He rests the edge of his jaw against the top of your head, nuzzling into your mane. You wished maybe you had time to shower before he picked you up, but you’re sure the dry shampoo you use smells just fine. 

Being close to him like this is pure bliss. Butterflies stir in your stomach, each one fluttering with the excitement of this new start. Each spot where you meet each other sparks with the heat of passion. It was like a scene from a movie, how silly. 

Like the couple who just moved into their first apartment, and theres absolutely nothing set up yet except their record player that they unpacked first. The man walks over to the record player and puts on ‘their song’ and the woman can’t help but blush. He reaches his arm out to her, inviting her to be with him. She raises herself off the floor and swoops into his arms. The two of them moving about the empty apartment floors, unwinding after the long moving day. The stress of it all meant nothing to them though, because all they needed was already unpacked… Each other. 

You wanted that with Jake. A familiarity. Your song. Which you suppose could be this song. You imagine your future together, wishful thinking. Life would be filled with movie moments, and you hoped he would be the star in each one. 

You look over to the nightstand and see a glass of water sitting on a coaster. The fresh condensation drips down the side of the glass. 

Did he put this out for you? He actually had a caring thought before he left and brought you a glass of water…?

You gather yourself up to reach for the glass and take a few cautious sips. The cold drink slides down your dry, rather exhausted throat. It quenches your thirst and instantly pulls you into an awake state.

Instead of his striking body lying next to you, there sits a lump. You lift your head slightly off the pillow to examine the objects to your side. It's a pile of folded clothes- your folded clothes. Not all of them though, just your sweatpants, your thong, and… a new item?

You reach over to the new t-shirt and pull it out from under the sweatpants. It's a white cotton shirt, soft and well-worn. You bring it to your face and inhale the fabric’s scent… It's Jake’s shirt. No doubt his gift is an apology for ripping yours last night. He would never apologize with his words over such behavior, but the gesture is still as nice. 

You pull the sheets off of your body and begin to dress yourself on the mattress, starting with your gifted shirt. You want every second to smell like Jake, especially when he’s not there with you. Next the sweatpants, until you’re finally in your completely lazy outfit again; this time with an extra piece to your ensemble. 

You slide your legs off of the mattress and touch your feet down to the cold wood floor. That truly is the most sobering part of getting up. You hesitate fully getting out of bed and choose to admire the room just a little longer. Last night presented no opportunities to survey the room. There was nowhere to look but him. 

Jake’s room truly is as mysterious as he is. Dark, closed off, and has an air of calm and refreshing easement. There’s a vintage, timeless touch to his design. You wouldn’t expect him to put this much effort into his home, but it's clear that he carries a sense of pride in his spaces. 

The room is quite vast, but caves in with the decor. The tall mahogany bedroom set is clunky in the space but fits well with the vibe. Under the bed sits a beautiful black rug with subtle detailing carved into the yarn. The nightstands are ornate; detailed with wood carvings along the edges. The corner of the room has another orange chair, different than the living rooms, it’s more cozy and comforting. A bookshelf sits next to it, with autobiographies of artists, historical pieces, and of course, classics. 

There are a few different light sources in the room, but no overhead lights; he must have a distaste for them. The lamps are covered in cloth shades, adding a dull glow to the room. You wonder what it would look like if it were brightly lit and could see every detail around you. 

There’s no TV in his room. Clearly, he hasn’t yet given in fully to modernity. You imagine his nights here alone, playing guitar, sitting in this room. Moving about the house like a shrouded figure of moodiness, taking in the space step by step. You imagine him lying in bed, staring at the objects that stack on each surface. There is nowhere for your eyes to rest; every little knick-knack is an object worth wondering about and admiring. These objects fill up his space, where a person has not. 

You snap out of your snooping stare and make your way out of the bed. 

Figuring Jake has left the house, you try your best to tidy up after yourself. You pull the sheets back into their rightful place, bringing each layer up into a tight spread. The bed has been erased of both of you, of your acts, of your…

“Look what you did pretty girl,” He whispers in your ear. 

Ugh. 

You creep towards the bedroom door, remembering the rest of your items wait for you in the living room. Your phone and shoes were simply an afterthought last night. 

Jake takes his hand and reaches up to the back of your neck, gently wrapping his fingers up into the base of your scalp. His touch relaxes you; it heals you. After the anger and pain of this past week, you knew you needed some release. The tension that had built up from all the uncertainty was vanishing.

His other hand slides and relaxes across your back, embracing you. It’s hard not to notice the bulge growing between the two of you. You’re so tight against him, feeling him press himself into you, almost needing to be sure that you know of its presence. 

The song tapers to the end and a new one begins. You nudge your head up, and Jake lifts to meet you. The contours of your noses barely touch each other. The desire sits heavily between you; your breath is the only thing separating you from him. 

He brings his hands down to sit across the band of your sweatpants. It’s fucking devious how horny he can get you in a matter of moments. Feeling him with you, knowing all is forgiven, leaves little room for hesitation. You reach your lips up to meet his, but he pulls away from you. 

Devastated, you pull back to look up into his eyes, “Jake, I need you.”

“Not here.” He whispers. 

“Yes, here.” You beg back to him. Reaching your hands to hold his face, pawing at him to let you continue.

He runs his hands down over your ass, palming his hands on you. They move past your curves and reach underneath your thighs. In one swift lift, you find your legs around his hips, enclosed against his torso. 

You bring your head to his ear, gently kissing the brim of his pierced lobes. He takes a few small steps towards the hallway, having to pace himself through heavy whining breaths. 

“I said not here…” He repeats. 

You continue to tease him, peppering his neck and profile with soft pecks. The warmth in your core is starting to take you over. A frenzy of lust cradles between the two of you. The soft pressure of the spreading hold he has you in makes you wish you weren’t separated by your clothes. 

“I’ve been thinking about all the things you’re going to do to me,” you whisper.

He continues down the hallway, choosing to ignore your statement, wanting to follow through with his mission. You are completely unaware of where in his house you are being brought to.  Most likely, his bedroom; it was going to be the ultimate insight into Jake’s mind. 

Your nuzzled state into his neck left you limited vision to stare at your surroundings, but you were more concerned with the man holding you than the objects in his house.

Your moaning had become louder too, sounding like a starved animal, ready for a feast you’ve been waiting a week for. 

“I need you,” You purr into his ear. 

“Don’t worry pretty girl, I’ll give you everything you need.”

He backs himself to the door of the bedroom and leans to open it. 

The room has a soft glow, although there isn’t much light present in the room. There are a few fixtures emitting an orange light, just enough brightness to outline the shape of the room.

“I want you in here,” He says. 

He shuffles the both of you slowly over to the bed, bringing his knee to the edge of the mattress and slowly lowering you down into the center. Your head just barely rests on the pillow, and the comforter around you consumes your boundaries. Jake’s body hovers over you, his hair falling on the sides of his face, shrouding him slightly. His knee still rests between your legs, splitting yourself around him. The way he looks at you at this moment isn’t full of the usual fire and lust, it’s more caring; almost loving… 

“Jake…” You mutter through hushed lips. 

He sweeps your hair away from your cheek and leaves his hand there for a moment. You both have a habit of lingering. 

“Tonight,” He leans in close, kissing the edge of your jaw, “I want to show you how special you are. Give you everything you deserve.” 

“I want to be the only girl you remember,” You snap. 

Some strange form of lingering jealousy that you almost regret. Here he is trying to make up for the behavior, showing you kindness, and yet you still let the bratty personality wash over you. You can’t help it. Being in his presence makes you this way. You’re trained to respond to him the way he’s wanted it previously. As much as he may deny it, he loves it when you fight back. 

He lets out a disappointed ‘tsk’ in your ear, and backs himself from your face. “I need you to be a good girl for me tonight… My good girl.” He cups the side of your cheek and looks down on you in a stern and endearing manner. Those words ring through you ‘my good girl’. You were his, finally. Even if there were no official relationship titles, you were his. His plaything, his girl, the one he chose. You weren’t expecting such sweet words to be the kind of thing to turn you on this much, but you find yourself writhing underneath him. 

“I can be good.”

“I know you can, sunshine.”

You swing the door open and stroll into the hallway, taking your time to walk through. Seeing Jake’s home in the daylight is a completely different vibe than the night. The whole house is brighter, letting in diffused light from the shades. 

The artwork in this hallway is different than the living room. It’s not even artwork really, it's concert posters. You stop to admire the biggest one hanging by the bedroom door. It's a gig poster with his band written in small letters under some other local bands. The colorful squiggles and designs resemble a 70’s music poster. There are streaks of orange, purple, and yellow cascading underneath the lettering. It's nicer than the usual band posters you see posted up at the bar. It’s bright, eye-catching, and honestly pretty. 

How cute, you think to yourself. It's nice to see he’s proud of his band. 

You turn to head back down the hallway towards the living room, but pause when you hear whispers. Voices speaking on the other side of the wall in the living room. You can make out Jake’s voice, but there’s another male voice with his. The two sound comfortable talking together, like old friends… Maybe he has a roommate that he didn’t tell you about? 

Well, that would be awkward considering how loud you both had been last night. 

You stand there stuck at the edge of the hallway, unsure of whether or not to take a step further and introduce yourself into the situation. Did he want you to stay back, hidden away? Was this a private moment amongst men? An after-hook-up catch-up? 

Let’s be honest, men don’t do that like this. 

The confusing limbo of the moment pushes you to just take a step, and try to creep past as silently as possible. Maybe you can get Jake’s attention. You take your first step, successfully staying quiet, but the second step screws you. As soon as your foot presses into the hardwood, a loud creek echoes below you. 

“Is someone here?” The unfamiliar voice asks. 

Shit. 

He leans back down into you and enters your mouth. His tongue lapping over yours. Both of you are too concerned to stop for air, kissing each other over and over; trying to make up for the time that was lost. Tasting each other ferociously, like you were trying to practically inhale each other. 

Without hesitation, a hand is reaching up to your breast. You’d completely forgotten that you weren’t wearing a bra when you left the house earlier. Granted, you hadn’t really worn a bra in days.

“I have been looking at these all fucking night,” Jake mutters through breaking breaths. He pulls away from your entanglement and lays his tongue across your jaw, licking up to the crest of your ear, “Such a fucking naughty girl leaving like this. You wanted to tease me, huh?”

You let out a guilty sigh, taking accountability for your teasing. 

His hands run over your already sensitive nipples, toying with them between his fingers. Rolling the buds over the pads of his fingers. 

Being here in his control again is invigorating. Just thinking about being so close to him again sends shivers of lust through your needing body. 

He releases you from his tease and reaches up underneath your shirt to the collar. He yanks forward, pulling you close to him. The sound of cloth ripping alarms you both, breaking the intimacy for a moment. 

The collar had stretched and snapped from his tight grasp, a tear present where stitches used to be. A look of apology flashes over Jake’s eyes. The moment is entirely unsettling to him, but for you, it just made you hornier. Knowing how strong he is… He actually ripped your clothes off of your body. 

You laugh, allowing him to be rid of any true guilt, and lift the shirt over your head. 

“It had to come off anyways,” You throw the shirt to the end of the bed, not breaking your eye contact with Jake, “Plus, it was kind of hot.”

“Maybe you need some new shirts,” He jokes. 

He places one hand around the crook of your neck, and the other at the soft point on your waist. You collide back into each other, pretending that the accident didn’t even happen. It’s unlike Jake to be so stunned by something like that; you’d think maybe he’d even done it before- on purpose. 

You reach your hands under his shirt, lightly caressing his back. It feels so soft, smooth… Comforting. You’re not sure if he’s ever let you be this cuddly with him, and it might never happen again, so you try your best to make the most of it. Reaching up over every inch of his body, trying to feel every muscle, every warm inch of his skin. 

Your hands move to the front of him, nudging at his shirt. 

“So, should I rip yours now?” You ask, teasing him. 

“You better shut up before I have to make you,” He says through a smirk. 

He balances his legs beside yours and leans back to take off his shirt. You can’t help but blush to see him undress in front of you. He is truly the perfect specimen- the most beautiful man you’ve ever seen. His skin is golden in this light, god-like even. He has these soft formed muscles, not incredibly chiseled, but enough padding to know that there’s a real strength to him. 

He perches back over you, inches away from your face. There is truly nothing keeping you from tearing back into him. His face seems gentler than ever before, caring and intimate. It’s incredibly hard to not want to step into your usual games, but feeling this new side of him is even more enticing. Instead of a feverish lust growing over you, it’s a soft blooming need to be close to him. 

His brown eyes are deep and beautiful. His hair falls perfectly past his face, draping down in soft tangled curtains around him. And his lips… Look more inviting than they ever have to  you. 

He slopes down to your jaw and places caressing kisses along your skin, moving down to your neck. Each kiss is placed with more intent than the last, and then each one getting sloppier as it moves down your chest, around your breasts, and to your stomach. A growling excited moan comes from within him when he reaches your pant line. 

Jake tugs his fingers on the elastic waistband, teasing you in the worst way possible. 

All you’ve thought about since you’d first seen him today is how he looks going down on you. The sweat that perspires on his forehead, the grunting moans that he can’t hold back, his tight grab around your thighs. It’s what you need. 

“I’ve missed this,” He tugs again slowly on the waistband, pulling it down just enough for him to see how wet you’ve already gotten in your thong, “Looks like you have too naughty girl.” 

“Jake please,” You beg, “You know how bad I need you.”

He stops his pulling, and looks up to you, with a devious look plastered across his face. 

“Why don’t you tell me how bad you need me?” 

You rock your head back and whine to him, upset that he still can’t resist being a tease. You drop your eyes back down to look at him, staring intently. 

“Jake… All I can fucking think about is you tasting me.” He continues to pull your pants off of you, “I keep thinking of that first night together. How special you made me feel…”

Your pants finally are strewn aside. 

“Yeah?” He eggs on. 

“It was honestly the best I’ve felt in a long time. No man has ever-” 

The pad of his thumb is teasing your warming clit. Jake is resting by your knees, head propped up by his opposite hand, watching you feverishly try to beg. 

“Go on.” 

“No man has ever…” You look down to him, watching him slowly slip your thong down over your thighs, “Ever made me feel like that…” You lift your legs slightly to help him take them fully off of you, “And I need that again.”

With your thong to the side, he’s allowed the full sight of your needy cunt. You’re practically dripping before him. Just thinking of him devouring you is causing your body to fill with lust and desire. 

“I want to try something with you,” He states. Your body instantly tenses up. You sit up and look at him, puzzled. “Don’t worry, nothing bad… I just think it will help.”

He crawls up to meet you and sits you up. You prop yourself up, completely in awe of how he couldn’t have picked a worse time to stop the momentum. You were so close to being attached to him again, but he has to keep you waiting. 

“C’mere,” He says, wiggling himself behind you. He yanks at your hips and pulls them back to meet his. You feel something else pressing into your lower back, practically twitching with excitement. You try not to put your full weight back into him to protect him. 

He snuggles his arms under you, running his hands around your body, still careful to avoid the areas you need him most. Soft whining moans escape your lips, you can’t hold them back at all; your body is aching having to wait. 

“Can you show me how you play with yourself again?” He asks. 

You lean your head back into his collarbone and look up to him. A serious yet cunning smile is already waiting for you. 

“Jake, I thought you were going to take care of me?”

“I am sunshine. Just do what I ask… Please.” 

The last part seemed painful for him. It was unlike Jake to use manners in the bedroom, but because of his politeness, you obey. 

You reach down to your deprived clit, and start to swirl the pads of your fingers over yourself. Feeling some sort of touch, even if it was your own, made it clear to you that it wouldn’t take very long to get you anywhere. You try to be easy on yourself, not allowing yourself to get too far without feeling him.  

Your back arches away from him and desperate moans break free. 

“Please Jake, sir… Please.”

“You don’t have to call me that tonight sunshine. You’re my good girl tonight.” 

He truly must not know how much the praise is killing you, or he does, in which case he is truly vile. 

His hands still move unhurried around your torso. Each pass of him over you is breaking you down, pushing you further to a release in your own hands. Kissing and licking are happening on your neck, a nice distraction to what you’re feeling below. 

“Jake…” You moan. 

Your body is heaving from your touch. Feeling the soft skin run over your fingers, shooting waves of excitement down your legs. Your breath begins to hitch and you can feel the building begin. 

Before you realize what is happening, Jake’s fingers enter you. He rests his chin on your shoulder to watch the mess you’re making. His fingers move in unison, gently running over your sensitive spot. It doesn’t take much movement for him to almost completely push you over the edge. 

“Do you know why I wanted to do this?” He asks. You shake your head, unable to talk in fear that it may exert too much energy. “I can see all of you from here, I can feel your body get closer, I can feel your pulse against me, I can hear every little moan…”His voice is beginning to fade. Your core grows tighter in preparation for the orgasm you’ve been waiting for. You can feel his cock growing against your back- each moan that you gush causes a jump within him.  

“C’mon good girl, are you going to come for me?” 

You moan loudly this time, hoping that no one else in this house- well maybe even the neighborhood, can hear the pornographic noises coming from you. 

Your cunt is practically red hot, feeling the pressure of him touching you, nudging you to finish for him. You can feel the wave forming within you, growing stronger and stronger with each stroke of your hands. This build was like nothing before, it was intense, almost too much for your body. You feel the overstimulation crawling through you. 

Soft distressed gasps echo in the room, but Jake doesn’t let up on his movements. His fingers are practically going right through you. It’s too much, you try to slow yourself, to hold his hand in an attempt to slow it all down. 

“Keep going.” He commands. 

You try to keep moving your hands, but the bracing movements are pushing your body into an unknown state. Jake takes his free hand and takes over for you, completely shrouding your frame with his arms. 

You can’t help but just watch him artfully manipulate you. He knows what you like- what you need. He pushes his wrist into your lower stomach, holding you down in between him. The rush is sweeping you. Hearing him- feeling him, you couldn’t hold on any longer. 

“Come for me, baby.” 

It all happens faster than you can even process. A rush of euphoria washes over you, each muscle contracting from the ecstasy. A loud blissful wail accompanies the feelings. Your whole body tenses, wanting to crumple itself, but Jake removes himself from you and holds you back, trying to relax you. Your legs shake, your core tightens. You spill out on to the sheets, feeling each wave of the orgasm pulse out of you. 

You crash back onto Jake, turning your head into his chest. You rest your eyes and nuzzle into him. He pets the hair out of your face and squeezes you gently between his arms. 

“Look what you did pretty girl,” He whispers in your ear. 

You open your eyes with apprehension, unsure of what you could have possibly done. 

The comforter is completely soaked beneath you. There is more of you there than there has ever been. You jump up and stare at Jake, completely embarrassed. 

“I-I I’m sorry I didn’t-”

“Are you seriously apologizing for that?” He says with an excited grin, “Do you realize that is the best outcome of this?”

You look up to him with your doe-eyes, still feeling unsure of how that even happened.

“I’ve never…” 

He takes your chin into his hand, “That’s because I’m the only one that can make you feel this special sunshine.” 

There’s no hiding your presence now. You look down at your lazily dressed body and try your best to lift your boobs up in the shirt. Walking around with no bra when it was just Jake would’ve been fine, but around an unknown man… probably best to try and seem somewhat modest. One quick shove upwards, and you move down the stairs. Each step lets out a pained creak in the floorboards. 

You peek around the corner, like a timid child, and see Jake sitting on the sofa. Across from him is a curly-haired man with his back to you. 

Jake seems cautious to invite you into the room but nods to allow you into the conversation. You take a step forward into the living room, letting your presence be known by the guest. 

The other man turns around to face you, and instant confusion sets in. The man is eerily similar to Jake, other than the hair. It sits in a wide curly mohawk, barely dancing down the front of his head. He has a different glow than Jake, it’s brighter- more welcoming. Their faces have similar qualities, features, and even mannerisms. Maybe their brothers… 

The suspected relative leans back into his shoulder to get a better look at you, staring at you harder than you are at him. His mouth slowly starts to open, admiring your confused and revealing stature. 

You pull your arms up and cross them in front of your chest, trying to hide your breasts behind your forearms. The staring was flattering, but also… a lot. I guess you know how it feels now…

“Jakey…” He plays, not removing his eyes from yours, “Whose this?”

Well, Jake hasn’t been telling him about your sex life together, so that’s one positive. Or is it? Why didn’t Jake say anything? Why wouldn’t he tell his guest that he has someone else here? He could have turned him away and told him to come back later, but he didn’t.

You take a step forward to introduce yourself, “I’m-”

“She’s a friend, Josh…” Jake cuts you off and runs over to your side. He rests his hand flat on your lower back and nudges you to sit back on the couch with him. You sit on the cushion next to where he sat and remain stiffened, trying to avoid eye contact with Josh. He still has yet to break his gaze at you, except now, Jake is included in this amusing sight. The stunned gaze resembles one of someone watching a boxing match; watching the tension thrown back and forth between the two of you. 

Jake lowers himself onto the couch and turns to match your eyes, “A very good friend.” 

Josh raises his hands in defense, “Oh, oh, you don’t need to give me much more than that. I get it,” He giggles, “Just hard to believe such a nice-looking little lady would have interest in you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” You and Jake echo together. You both glance a confused look at each other. What was this weird defensive synchronization that was happening? Why would it be abnormal for you to be with Jake?… Maybe Josh knew the other woman Jake had pursued. 

“Oh now now,” Josh adjusts himself more comfortably into the seat, almost perching himself on the edge. He gestures at you, “It was not supposed to offend you, but my twin has never been known for being a solid gentleman,” He leans further in and covers the side of his mouth that faces Jake, “He’s too rough and tough for that-”

“Josh-” You can see the anger mounting inside Jake. He’s already giving in to the stereotype Josh has put out. He doesn’t see it, but you can clear as day. 

“Me, on the other hand, I am quite the gentleman,” He laughs, “if I do say so myself-”

“Josh!” Jake snaps. 

Twin rivalry. The worst kind of sibling rivalry. It felt like being right back in your living room on holidays, watching your family bicker back and forth at each other. Knowing how to dig into everyone’s worst insecurities. Like an old married couple who’s known each other for far too long, knows every good and bad thing about each other, finding the perfect ways to jab in their soft spots. 

Josh giggles at himself. It's blatant that pissing Jake off is a favorite pastime of his. I guess you share something in common, but at least Jake gets to take out his frustration on you in a far more… exciting way. You try to cut the tension and ease Jake. 

“Well,” You reach over to place your hand on Jake’s thigh, trying to soothe him with a touch. He gingerly reaches back to place his hand over yours, “He’s working on the gentleman part, but I think he makes a great lover.” 

Both of the twins turn to look at you, shocked looks expressed on their faces. Jake’s gentle touch on your hand becomes a grasp, crushing your knuckles between his fingers. You flash a remorseful grin at Jake, who isn’t having it. Josh cuts his giggling with a clearing cough and sits himself up properly in the chair. 

“Well, that’s…” Josh covers his mouth with his hand, pondering the words he just heard, “That’s just great.”

Jake has still yet to break his glare at you, clearly being funny in that moment wasn’t the kind of soothing words he needed. It was your bratty side coming out again, embarrassing him in front of his brother. You’d be sure to pay for that later. 

“So you guys are brothers?” You ask, trying once again to break the tension less bluntly. Jake loosens his grip on you, letting his fingers heavily weigh over the top of your hand. 

“Well, to be particular, twins, bandmates… Sometimes roommates.” Jake grumbles.

“Well, we’ll always be womb-mates!” Josh jokes. 

It was interesting to see Jake be put up against someone so close to him. 

Josh is quite the opposite of his twin, very outspoken, and chaotic. It's almost like they split their personalities at a young age, neither one of them level human beings. One energetic and spunky, and the other moody and brooding. You imagine them as children, were they both once spunky and energetic, but took different roads, different paths, somewhere down the line? Imagining Jake with a childlike heart was melting you. 

“So you’re the funny one, huh?” You joke back at Josh sarcastically.

“Precisely dear! You have to at least have some personality if you are the lead singer.” Josh raises his hand in a preachy theatrical matter, trying to play up each word he says. 

“You don’t remember him from the set?” Jake asks. 

He’s trying to belittle Josh and make him seem inferior. And he is. You don’t remember him. Shit.  Watching Jake play caused a weird form of tunnel vision. Well, watching him and drinking those exceptionally strong whiskey sours. You try to find the right words to say, trying not to offend Josh and also trying not to reveal that you were staring at his brother’s dick all night. 

“I’m sorry,” You say, “I don’t- not that you weren’t rememberable! But my focus was… elsewhere.”

Jake smirks. He liked catching you off guard at that moment, a slight torment for your quick remarks. 

“Ah, don’t fret,” Josh muses, “You should come to our next gig! I’ll sing especially for you,”

“Hey…” Jake warns. 

You turn to look at Jake, snapping a glaring look. Why shouldn’t you? Why would he try to quiet Josh’s invitation? The brat in you is filling up, taking over your mind. There would be no playing around or trying to hide from Jake. If he wanted you, he could at least act like it. 

“You know what? I’d love that!” You exclaim, “When is it?!”

Josh starts to catch onto your tone and joins in, “Next week! At this bar a few towns over, but it's got a really great vibe and a dance floor!” 

You perk yourself up and place your hand over your heart, resembling a shocked Southern belle. 

“Oh! A dance floor?” Your tone is trying to be mocking to upset Jake, but it is nice to feel invited by his brother, “Too bad Jake doesn’t dance…” 

You pout your lip out and turn to Jake. He won’t even look at you now. His eyes are locked on Josh; who is living in Jake’s discomfort. The anger is creeping through him, starting to fume. Josh and you both are piling it on, pushing him past where he’s comfortable. 

To be fair, this is an extremely awkward situation. His twin is here, having a normal conversation with him, and you show up here, his… his lover? His… Not girlfriend. That’s very clear. Why not be fun and break the tension? Jake could have easily told his brother that now wasn’t a good time, or he could’ve tried to warn you. But he didn't. 

You’re sure this was not how he expected the morning to go. 

Josh leans forward and drops his head in fake dissapointment, “It’s really too bad for him…” He perks back up to engage with you, “Guess I'll have to save a dance for you when our set is over.” He winks and smiles at you, with a wild resemblance to Jake. 

“Why thank you,” You reach your hand out and wave it at him, “You’re such a gentleman for offering.”

By this point, you both are fully aware of the game you’re playing. It's the ‘who can push Jake the furthest game’, and you’re both winning. 

“Alright, alright,” Jake sneers through gritted teeth, “Josh, why don’t we plan the set tomorrow, okay?”

A furrow has appeared across Jake’s brow. He’s embarrassed, but too prideful to admit it. He’s being shown up by his twin, no doubt his previous rival in endeavors like this. You both are cutting into him, trying to make him vulnerable, but he won’t budge. 

“Aww Jakey,” Josh whines, pouting at him, “We weren’t trying to hurt your feelings, little brother,” 

You try to hold back laughter, but a small choking giggle escapes from within you. 

“And, that’s enough of you today,” Jake snaps. 

He stands up from the couch and paces over to the door, gesturing at it, ushering Josh to go. A disappointed and frustrated look is painted across his face. Instead of standing up for himself, he’d rather cut the whole conversation short.  

“Jake…” you scold. You don’t mean to sound so demanding, but he is taking the jokes too seriously. 

“No, no, It’s quite alright,” Josh stands from his seat and walks over to you, grabbing your hand from your lap, “It was a pleasure darling.” He lowers his head to place a soft kiss across the top of your hand. 

You meet eyes as he releases his lips. He has that same devious smirk as Jake. You know he means no harm, and by no means does he want to pursue you- he just wants to get under Jake’s skin. Still, the gesture leaves you blushing.

You both linger there for a moment, trading secretive glances, knowing what turmoil you’re creating inside Jake. Before Josh can even release his hand from yours, he’s pulled away by Jake, yanking at him from the back of his shirt. 

“C’mon,” Jake pulls, “You’ll have plenty of time to woo her at the show…” 

Josh is giggling at himself, knowing that he’s leaving a mess for you to deal with. The realization of this situation is settling in your stomach now, knowing that once that door shuts out Josh, the angst will continue within these walls. 

Bad behavior has consequences. 

“I’ll see you!” Josh yelps before being shoved out into the daylight. 

“You must be pretty tired after that, huh?” Jake asks. 

You hate to admit how tired you were, but it was true. You wanted to keep going, to feel more, but you were completely overstimulated and feared what might happen if you were to continue. 

It was already a long day full of emotion, some turmoil, and newness. Despite spending most of the past week in bed, resting, you still felt exhausted. 

You drop your head, disappointed, “I’m sorry, I can-”

“You don’t have to do anything. It’s been a long day. Get in bed.”

You oblige, sneaking yourself under the sheets. He’d already taken the comforter off and assured you further that what you did was completely normal, and incredibly sexy in his opinion. A new blanket was strewn over the bed, and you were snuggling into the mattress. 

Jake unhooks his belt beside you and takes off his jeans, getting himself comfortable. He lifts his side of the sheets and slides in beside you. 

Both of you were face to face, just blushing at each other. He places his hand on your cheek and rubs his thumb back and forth over it. The most gentle and kind gesture. 

“Just so you know,” He says, “No woman has ever felt as good as you… No woman has ever been as beautiful as you.” 

You turn your head to meet his palm and place a kiss in the center of it. 

He runs his hand to the back of your head and nudges at it to move closer to him. You scootch yourself into him, resting your head in his chest; bringing your legs up to sit around his. 

Despite already seeing so much of him- having the best sex of your life with him- this was the most intimate moment you had shared. 

This moment was everything. This night was everything. It was proof that Jake could try. That a future with him was a very real possibility. That you truly meant more to him than just sex. He could trust you enough to be comfortable with him. You never wanted this time together to end. Just laying here together in bed. 

Jake slams the door behind Josh and immediately turns to you. He looks utterly ruined. Far past embarrassed, actually quite upset. 

“Really?” He asks. 

“What?” You snap back, settling yourself further on the couch. You cross your arms, trying to come across as nonchalant; as if nothing bad had happened. You truly believe nothing that bad has happened. 

Jake matches you and crosses his arms, “Do not what me. Why would you act like that?”

“Hmm,” You mockingly ponder, “I don’t know, maybe it’s because I was surprise attacked into meeting your brother?” 

Jake loosens his arms and walks back to the couch, positioning himself in front of you. Putting you in his perfect line of fire. 

“Yeah, well he wasn’t supposed to be here. I would assume that you might behave if you came down.” 

You purse your lips, trying to remain calm in this moment. Behave? Really. What were you? A twelve-year-old? You’re a woman who was put in a situation you weren’t expecting and was trying to get along with his brother. Setting good impressions for the family is supposed to be a good thing. At least you know that you and Josh would get along swimmingly but at the expense of Jake’s sensitive feelings. 

“I was just trying to be funny. You’re just jealous of him.” 

Jake chuckles softly, not believing the words you just uttered, “Oh I’m jealous? You seem to forget you didn’t talk to me because-” 

“Jake that’s different-”

“Oh so you can be jealous, but I can’t get a little bothered by you flirting with my brother?” His tone is changing. The frustration is evident in his voice, the hypocrisy is getting to him. And he’s right, you have been jealous. You have had a hard time sharing Jake or even thinking about him with anyone else, or doing anything else. 

But this is different. 

Jake slept with someone who was a friend and tried to hide the information from you. You on the other hand were jokingly playing around with his brother. Maybe it was a revenge tactic… Maybe you were flirting, but it felt good to make Jake just as uncomfortable as you once felt. The toxicity between you is what sparks all the good things. The back and forth, the teasing, and the accusations, all lead to physical apologies. 

“This is all completely different and you know it… If I’m being truthful, you haven’t always put me in the most comfortable situations Jake.” 

That last part was cold but honest. You promised yourself you would be honest with him. 

You can tell you struck a chord with him. The anger is still within him, and you thought telling him the truth would maybe help loosen its hold on him. But of course, it didn’t

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” He scoffs. 

He may have anger inside him, but there is a much stronger force of annoyance pushing through you. For him to ask that question is equivalent to a slap in the face. Does he seriously not know what you mean? Mariella, confronting you at work, showing up to your apartment and dragging you out into the middle of a field, inviting his brother into the house knowing you were just upstairs sleeping…

All he does is push you into an uncomfortable place, but the moment you start to play around and make a few jokes, that’s completely unacceptable? 

“Jake, you know what I mean. I want this to work out, but you have to consider how I feel sometimes too… I think that’s pretty reasonable.”

He scoffs again, crossing his arms in dismay. Your attempts at pleading are useless, mostly because he already knows what he wants you to say. He will always get his way. “You think I don’t care how you feel?”

“Oh, my god.” You throw your hands up in the air. Defeated. “Can you not be so defensive over everything I say? Can you have a little fun sometimes?”

“You think I don’t care, you think I can’t have fun…” Jake leans down towards you and pulls your face up to meet his. He stares deeply into you, his gaze burning. The arguing always gets the both of you going, it’s like a foreplay of sorts. It would be wrong to deny either of you the release you both crave. Neither of you are truly mad, but it's a game you play. You’re ready to let him take you, let yourself forgive him with his touch. 

He runs his calloused fingers across the edge of your jaw. The burning exasperation lingers inside of you, but slowly erases with each second his skin is on yours. His thumb extends down to your neck, carrying his fingers to wrap around your neck. He squeezes you in his hand, careful to not let his displeasure translate to physicality,  “Why don’t I show you how much I fucking care?”

“Yes sir,” You reply. Immediately, you assume your role. The softer Jake that was present with you last night has subsided, he needed to be himself again, and you needed to take your place as the submissive. 

Your heart is beating in your chest, excited to be in this roleplay with Jake again. You feel the heat rushing down your between your legs, ready for more with him.

“Pants off, now.”  

Taglist: @jakekiszkasbuttsweat @gvfpal @lipstickitty @anythingforjtk @giraffehippy @ohgodthefeeling-gvf @gretavansara @sanguinebats @awkwardlyamazing2000 @pinkandsleepy1934 @bajabule69

[manicplank]

The Color Pink (Part 6)

This fic is going to go on forever I love noisecouple so much.

Hazel's alarm went off in the morning. She turned it off without hesitation as opposed to her usual grumpiness. She had an extra pep in her step. She brushed her teeth and swished mouthwash before spitting it out. She hummed as she washed her face and applied moisturizer. She brushed her hair before she added a slight upward curl to the ends. She dressed up in her usual uniform.

She strutted down to the cafe with no fear. She couldn't seem to wipe the smile off her face. She unlocked the door, the bell above it rang as she walked in. Before she reached halfway to the counter, the bell rang again. She turned around. It was The Vigilante. He seemed to be disturbed. "Oh, hi Vi-"

"HAZEL!" He interrupted her. "YOU'RE ALIVE!"

"What? Of course I'm alive. I'm more alive than I've ever been in my entire life!" She twirled and giggled.

"So... he didn't try to kill ya?"

"Who?"

"The Noise!"

"Nope! In fact, our date went incredibly well! He actually asked if I would be willing to go on another date!"

"Really?!"

"Yep! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get the coffee started."

"Well, I'll see ya at the counter."

The Vigilante got up on a stool as Hazel walked behind the counter. She didn't close well the night before, so she had a bit of extra work to do. It didn't bother her, though. It was worth it considering she had an amazing date. She put the pots on and filled the tanks with water. She poured ground coffee into the filters and began the brew cycle. She grabbed the dishes from the night before from the drying rack and put them away. The Vigilante pulled out a newspaper and opened it up. As he read it, Hazel placed a mug in front of him and filled it with fresh, hot black coffee. "Thank you, dear," he smiled.

"So, when are you gonna admit it?"

"Huh? Admit what?"

"That you were wrong." Hazel tilted her head with a smug smile.

The Vigilante sighed. "I won't admit anything just yet. It's too early. Just wait 'til he shows his true colors. It'll take some time, but it'll happen."

Hazel rolled her eyes. "Why are you so negative? Why can't you let me make my own mistakes?"

"I'm just trying to protect you."

"I don't need your protection! I appreciate it your concern, but I'm more than capable of taking care of myself."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

"Well, you did."

-

Theodore went in to work that day with a different attitude. He didn't seem as stoic and crabby as he usually was. It could be felt in the air. He walked into set and saw everything in the right place. He headed over to his dressing room. A sweet woman from the Gnome Forest knocked and walked in. "Mornin', Mr. Noise!"

"Mornin', love."

"Well, someone's spry today!"

"Yeah. I'm feeling good."

She pulled out some concealer and foundation as well as a blending sponge. She also pulled out some skin colored powder and a nude color palette. The Noise sat back in his chair and closed his eyes. She flipped a switch, and the lights around the mirror lit up. "So," she spoke, "what's got you so happy?"

"Uhh, it's kind of personal."

She pulled back and gave him a look.

He laughed, "Don't look at me like that! It's nothing dirty."

She chuckled. "I'm just giving you sass. It's okay if you don't want to tell me. As long as you're happy, I'm pleased."

"Of course, you are. Makes your job easier, doesn't it, Mary?"

"It sure does!" She grabbed a concealer that was a few shades lighter than his skin. She applied it around his eyes and blended it with the sponge. "Still got those dark circles, though."

He sighed. "Always and forever."

Mary applied powder from the palette to set the concealer. "Now I'm curious as to what's making you so happy."

"What? I can't just have a good day?"

She giggled. She applied foundation all around his face with a brush. She took the sponge and began to blend it in. "Well, after you acting so strange all week... I can't help but wonder what's going on with you." She stopped. "Oh, no..."

The Noise opened his eyes and furrowed his brow. "What?"

"Are you... doing okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"Please, honey, tell me this isn't the surge."

"The surge?"

"When some people are depressed or sick, they get a surge of energy and joy, before..."

"Oh! Oh, no no no no no!"

Mary sighed with relief. "Oh, thank goodness. My heart sank." She dipped a small pad in the powdered foundation and pat it all over his face.

"No, I have something to look forward to, especially lately."

"Is it a woman?"

His eyes widened, and he cleared his throat. "Um..."

"It is!"

"Shhh! Don't say anything! I don't want that getting leaked into the media!"

"Your secret is safe with me. So... Tell me all about her."

"It's a little early... We just went on our first date yesterday."

"And?"

"It went well. I mean, at least I think it did."

She blew on his face, and all the excess powder was off. "If this is the mood that one date put you in, then my fingers are crossed that it lasts."

"Just please don't say anything. I don't want the paparazzi swarming her and scaring her away. I want to take things slow."

"You like her," Mary teased.

"Shush!"

She laughed again and pat him on the shoulder. "You're all set. I'll leave you to get changed."

Theodore looked in the mirror as Mary left the room. He couldn't believe he just admitted to someone that he liked her... He got into his costume one leg at a time. He was flexible enough to zip the zipper on his back. He tied the cape around his shoulders. He sighed again as he grabbed his mask and put it over his head. "Alright," he aired, "let's do this."

-

"Cut," the director Noisy shouted. "Great job, everyone! Noise, you were incredible today! Much better than you were the other day." The Noise smiled and shrugged. "No, seriously," the director continued, "I think that was one of your best performances yet! Keep that up, and this movie's gonna be great!" Mary looked over at him and winked. His eyes grew wide, and he blushed. While the others went over to mingle, Theodore headed back to his dressing room. He took off his mask and untied the cape. He grabbed a pack of cleansing wipes from one of the drawers and cleaned the makeup off his face. He thought about her all day. He acted as if she was there watching him. He couldn't shake the idea of what she would think of him. For some reason, he wanted to impress her. He unzipped his costume and let it fall. He changed into sweatpants and a hoodie. As he made his way out of the building, a few people tried to stop and talk to him. "Sorry," he said, "I'm tired. I wanna go home and catch a nap."

Theodore took out a cigarette as he walked home. It was only a short walk, but sometimes it was nagging. He thought that he might head to the cafe and grab a coffee since he felt a bit groggy after work, but he didn't want to seem desperate or clingy. Though, he did want to see her again. He shrugged it off and continued walking as he smoked. He walked through his door and locked it behind him. He suddenly felt super lethargic. He yawned as he dragged himself to his bed. He laid down and closed his eyes. Before he knew it, he was asleep.

He woke up to his phone ringing beside him. He checked the number, but he didn't recognize it. He answered it tiredly, "Hello...?"

"Hey, it's me!"

"Who???"

"Hazel."

"Oh!" He sat up. "Sorry, I still haven't saved your number in my contacts. I probably should, huh."

She snickered. "Were you sleeping? You sound tired."

"Yeah, I was napping."

"Theodore..."

"What?"

"It's seven o'clock at night."

"Is it really?!" He looked over at his alarm clock. "Oh shit, it is."

She laughed again. "How long have you been asleep?"

"Well, I got off of work at three, probably got home and laid down at around three fifteen..."

"That's almost four hours!"

"Yeah..."

"Naps are supposed to be like... thirty minutes to an hour."

"Not for me." He lay back down and rested one of his ankles on his bent knee. "My naps can last anywhere from an hour to six hours."

"Sheesh... Was it a rough day at work or something?"

"No, it was actually a great day. Everything went smoothly."

"That's good!"

"How about your day?"

"It was alright. A bit boring. Business at the cafe was slow as usual. The Vigilante came in, but he can be annoying sometimes."

"I don't really care for that guy. He's too uptight."

"Yeah, he uh... doesn't really like you, either."

"That doesn't surprise me."

Hazel lay in her bed on her stomach, kicking her legs back and forth like a little schoolgirl. "Yeah, he sort of chewed me out for going out with you."

"Why?"

"I don't know. He said he was scared you were going to hurt me. He's just being paranoid."

"That's why I don't like him much. I swear, he's got it out for me."

"He thinks you're a criminal."

"Well... He's not entirely wrong."

"Oh, I know. I've seen you on the news. I remember when you were on that Cops show."

He laughed. "Which time?"

"When you broke out of the cuffs and stole the same cop car twice in one night."

He laughed again but harder. "And that doesn't scare you?"

"I'm not a cop."

"Sounds like something a cop would say."

She giggled. "Oh, shut up. You know, between the two of us... I have a criminal record, too."

He gasped and sat up super quickly. "You're shitting me!"

"Nope."

"What did you do?"

"Assault and battery."

"No way. I don't believe you."

"It happened. Some girl was pushing me around and screaming in my face. She slapped me and uh... I sort of lost my temper. I punched her in the nose, and I just kept throwing punches."

"Oh, my god, that is HILARIOUS!"

"I mean, I'm not necessarily proud of it, but..."

"She had to be completely out of line to piss you off that much."

"Yeah. I don't take shit. I have a good temper, but eventually enough is enough."

"I can't believe it. I never would've guessed that coming from you. You're so sweet..."

"Aww, stop. You're the sweet one."

"Only to you."

They laughed together. "Anyways," she continued, "I'm not afraid of you. I don't think you'd do anything to hurt me."

"Of course, not. I don't put my hands on women."

"I could take you."

Theodore cackled. "You what?"

"I could take you in a fight."

"Nuh-uh."

"Yuh-huh!"

"Because I'd let you win."

"Mmm, no, I'd whoop your butt."

"No way."

"Yes way."

"You wouldn't be able to do anything if I picked you up."

"Yes, I would! I'd bite you!"

"Well, just know that I bite back. Hard."

Hazel blushed and giggled. "That wouldn't surprise me. Didn't you get in trouble for biting somebody?"

"Yes, several times."

"I remember seeing something about that. They had to get stitches."

"Mhm. You sure you want to get into a bite fight with me, now?"

"Try me."

"Oh, oh, okay, relax. Someone's got her claws out."

"I guess The Vigilante is just paranoid. He's unusually protective of me. I get where he's coming from, and I appreciate it, but I'm more than capable of taking care of myself. I don't need him to hold my hand. I'd rather that be you."

Theo blushed and giggled. "Oh, stop."

"What? Did I make you bluuush?" She teased.

"Maaaybe."

She giggled again then yawned. "Oh gosh, I can't believe it's already nine!"

"Seriously?! It feels like it's been two minutes..."

"I know. I should get to bed. I have to be up early for the cafe."

"I get it. Your business comes first."

"Goodnight, Theodore."

"Goodnight."

The Noise lay on his back with a grin from ear to ear. His nose and cheeks were pink. He really liked her, he finally was starting to accept it. They had an undeniable chemistry. Something about her made him feel like a teenager again, but it felt good. He stared at the ceiling as he thought about her; her laugh, her smile. He couldn't believe how comfortable she was with him already... and how comfortable he was with her. He was so excited to see her and talk to her again. He wished he had her beside him in his bed as he closed his eyes and drifted off back to sleep.

[planet-poptropica]

⋆ So....I was scrolling through Instagram the other day and I saw one those fav character charts, and I thought it would be fun to make my own! ⋆

⋆ Poptropica mutuals, tell me about your favs, not just your main favs, your side favs! I will include the transparent version below, and my explanation to my choices down below if you are interested! I'm interested to see your choices. ⋆

⋆ Tada! Have fun! ⋆

⋆ Now, an explanation to my choices: ⋆

⋆ Your Favorite: Director D ⋆

I think it's no surprise to ANYONE that knows me that Director D has always been my favorite, since day 1. There was a moment where he was almost replaced by Binary Bard, but he is a close second. Director D is my favorite because he is associated to my nostalgia of a time when I was obsessed with being a spy or ninja when I was a kid. (Spy kids may have played a BIG role in that.) Playing as an agent in that island was so exciting for me, but I do remember having trouble with certain parts like the decoder. (In hindsight I probably would be horrible spy XD.) Now that I'm older, his island is still one of my favs for that reason, but it's not my number one. I wish we could have gotten a bit more backstory for him, but, what can you do. (But create a backstory for him and I have.)

⋆ You Relate To: Black Widow ⋆

Black widow is a character I don't really talk about or draw like....ever, which is crazy because she's probably the character I relate to the most, just like many other artist do too I'm sure. I relate to her in the way of being jealous of other people's art success, and the constantly comparing yourself to others. They say you are your worst critic after all. I don't so much anymore. I'm actually proud of where I am in my art journey, but I used to do that a lot when I was younger, especially when I just started doing digital art.

You won't catch me stealing or ruining other people's art though... girl what-

⋆ Your Favorite Design: Ringmaster Raven ⋆

Look at him, 'nuff said. His design is amazing. I love the color palette, the mask used to cover his true look, the raven theme with the wings and mask, the hat with eyes, everything. His design is the best because it matches with the overall theme of the island, it being a MONSTER CARNIVAL, and he is the Ringmaster. I remember how hipped I was when his island trailer released. One of the best islands for sure.

⋆ Is Underrated: Count Bram⋆

Yeah, remember when I was constantly drawing him for a short period of time? It's for a reason. I love my vampire peepaw who's confused about everything. I'm curious, do people consider him a villain? I kind of don't for the reason that he kidnapped Katya because he thought she was Anabelle, and once he was cured and was bought back to reality, he apologized for it because he didn't know. You want to talk about villain? Christopher is the real villain, you can't change my mind. Anyway, I was looking at the old art I drew of him, and he looked familiar to me. Then it all came together. You know who he reminds of? Exactly? Simon Petrikov, you know, Ice King from Adventure Time? Not only do they have the same hair style and would have the same personality, but they were both humans at some point with a partner, and once they became what they became, all they thought about was their partner, aka Anabelle and Betty.

Poof, mind blown. Vampire peepaw deserves more love.

⋆ You'd get along with IRL: Amelia ⋆

Amelia is another character I don't really talk about or draw, mainly because I associate her with the new era of Poptropica. But, I don't think that's fair. Amelia is actually a very sweet character that I think little me would have appreciated if she came to the game sooner. I would probably get along with her really well, considering how silly, and nice she is. Not to mention, her love for cute stuff. Imagine her unicorn bedroom but replaced with bunnies. That's my room right now. I think that even traveling with her would be really fun. She would have gotten under the "you relate to" category too but I didn't want Amelia on here twice. XD

⋆ And finally...Your Favorite Side Character: Dr. Spyglass ⋆

I... do not know how to explain this one. Dr. Spyglass only gets a few words of dialog, and we know nothing about him in canon, besides him working for HQ, and being an eye doctor. I won't lie, I actually had a crush on this guy years ago, hence why I shipped him with Muddy. (I cringe at that ship now. XD) Probably because...he looks like Director D...with a lab coat. >_> Look at both of them and TELL ME they are not related, I dare you. My version of them are. I love the idea of this silly scientist being hired by his brother after failing the entry agent exam, not because he pitted him, but because he understood how incredibly smart he was and is. Constantly being compared to his brother and what he could have been. So, you can say I like MY version of him... a lot.

I should dedicate a post to him some day, eh?

[plumadot]

You are an amazing artist… and so I’m afraid I must interrogate you for your secrets.

If you don’t mind me asking, how long have you been doing art? How are you so amazing at it? Specifically, your scrumptious lines, your harmonious color palettes, the fan-freaking-tastic anatomy (hands fr), and overall ability to create drawings with the consistency of a marshmallow /pos

Please, would you share a secret/advice with us? 🙏

(Alsoyoursupercoolandamazing<33)

oh goodness gfdjkgjkfd now i'm sweating

i've been doing art... i'd say "seriously" since i was like. 12-ish. and since i'm 230 that's quite a long time-- ,,,ok no i'm actually 30 but that's still a long time. i've had periods where i didn't draw very much, but those have been really short. i definitely consider drawing to be my "thing", regardless of whether i'm good at it or not :')

ok so now you're just being a sweetheart kfjdkglfgfd i talked a little bit about drawing hands in an ask i posted just now but really jgfdkjgkfd it's all just a veeeeeery slow process. you don't want to know what my old art looks like. and that's a good thing because that means i've improved :D or at least in my own eyes i've improved. and i think that's most important :D

i don't think i have any secrets. i just enjoy it. i draw the best things when i'm having fun :D i'm a person who's reaaaaaally prone to stress and i'm also very result-oriented, so enjoying the drawing process is actually what takes me the most energy. but when it works it works :') and other artists and followers and random people i meet online or irl just being so supportive helps so much. which is why i try to be like that as well. kindness and positivity and passion will always make for more and better art

idk if any of this helps. but i believe in you!!! i reaaaally hope you can enjoy art and make cool things you want to make. your art will always be good because it's your own unique take. no one else has what you've got

[hiccanna-tidbits]

@jackunzel-time

Jackunzel Month Week 1 - The Artist and the Muse

***

You hide your eyes behind the shades Your stroke can make the climate change Your art should see the light of day (you and me a masterpiece)

You never let your colors show Lose your face when we get close I’ve seen you paint, nobody knows (you and me a masterpiece)

You’ve got an artist inside you Come drown in my navy blue Tonight let the artist inside me be you

Baby paint me like a canvas – don’t mind You’re dripping colors on the mattress tonight Dip your brush into the pallet, all mine Make the shades of you and me a masterpiece

Put your body where my heart is My love I’m the muse and you’re the artist Don’t stop Gotta finish what you started Oh, god Make the shades of you and me a masterpiece

You make me Scream in Starry Nights The golden kiss, mysterious smile You never let the paint run dry (you and me a masterpiece)

I’m standing pose for your design Your fingertips, they reach for mine Let’s make a mess and cross the line (you and me a masterpiece)

You've got an artist inside you Come drown in my navy blue Tonight let the artist inside me be you

Baby paint me like a canvas – don’t mind You’re dripping colors on the mattress tonight Dip your brush into the pallet, all mine Make the shades of you and me a masterpiece

Put your body where my heart is My love I’m the muse and you’re the artist Don’t stop Gotta finish what you started Oh, god Make the shades of you and me a masterpiece

Make the shades of you and me a masterpiece

Baby paint me like a canvas You’re dripping colors on the mattress Drip your brush into the pallet And make the shades of you and me a masterpiece

Baby, paint me like a canvas – don’t mind You’re dripping colors on the mattress tonight Dip your brush into the palette, all mine Make the shades of you and me a masterpiece

Put your body where my heart is My love I’m the muse and you’re the artist Don’t stop Gotta finish what you started Oh, god Make the shades of you and me a masterpiece

***

People always ask her at art shows where she gets her inspiration. Come spring, the assortment of pieces she's pumped out during the darker months never fails to amaze.

Streetlights shining through blizzard flurries. Ice on early April buds. Peach, rose, and lavender sunsets through snow-filled clouds. White-topped pine forests so mesmerizing that you can practically feel the stillness and silence of the winter.

Every time, Rapunzel smiles mysteriously and cites another artist.

"He's...underappreciated. His work hasn't ever had its day in the sun. But I've seen the best of it."

She always straightens proudly at the last part. And her customers can't help but be jealous that she gets to see this mysterious obscure talent apparently hidden from the rest of the world.

It has to be hidden, or else Rapunzel's work wouldn't be so uniquely spectacular. More people would paint even the coldest and bleakest of winter nights--even with no holiday lights to shine through the darkness.

"What's their name?" people always ask, hoping to investigate the esoteric artist themselves.

"Jack Frost."

And they laugh, because they think she's just being poetic. Taking inspiration from the fabled creator of ice patterns on morning windows and vast, quiet snowscapes.

If only they could see the white-haired boy just above them, perched on a nearby lamppost and chuckling to himself. Invisible to all the world except the artists who see beauty in his work.

***

HIHI I'M SO SORRY I'M LATE

Heh, you didn't really think I'd forgotten Jackunzel month, did you??? Had a lot on my plate these last couple months but by GOD am I gonna pull through for my children!!! I've been making them November content for 3 years straight and I ain't about to stop now!!!

Anyways this song popped up on my spotify and I was like oh huh. Yeah that's a Jackunzel song all right. And then this happened!

I feel like it could be from both of their POVs, btw! Like Rapunzel is the one we think of as the artist, but Jack kinda is, too--just look what he can do with snow and frost! Art that never sees the light of day indeed ;_____; And "your stroke can make the climate change" like??? Literally Jack??? Also love the idea of him doing little frost designs on her skin and clothes ;_____; Just little reminders of her mans she can carry around for a while before they melt! Especially in the summertime, when she could really use it!!!

But "come drown in my navy blue" is very Jack @ Rapunzel, too. And Punz definitely has a golden kiss and mysterious smile akdjsuilkh

Depending on how you interpret these two and their relationship, you can pretend some of the, er...spicier implications of this song are a metaphor for like. Deep conversations and enthusiastic cuddling if you like XD

Can you imagine Rapunzel actually painting in her bed and getting acrylic all over her blankets and insisting it gives them character??? Shit would be hilarious. Jack would also thoroughly approve of the chaotic and general unhinged nature of it all ajshdksgd

I missed them!!! God, it's been too long!!!

As always, moodboard pic credits available upon request :3

[mayxthexforce]

⭐️ ― convincing portrayal of a canon character

💻 ― excellent writing

🌼 ― creative headcanons

🎙️ ― great to talk to

📚 ― nice threads to read

🎀 ― all-around kind person

🥇 ― well-developed oc

😍 ― admiring from afar

📌 ― a staple on the dash

🏆 ― 10/10 blog, would recommend

🧡 ― sender's choice ( sender can add whatever category they want ) - MICA I LOVE YOUUUUUUUU ❤️ you're the best mwah thanks for being such an awesome and cool friend ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ having you in my life has been PHENOMENAL!!! Thanks tons for the awesome joyride

💜 ― receiver's choice ( simply shout out whoever

🐝  *  ―  𝑺𝑯𝑶𝑼𝑻-𝑶𝑼𝑻𝑺 𝑶𝑭 𝑨𝑾𝑬𝑺𝑶𝑴𝑬𝑵𝑬𝑺𝑺. 

*-cracks knuckles-* alright, let's do this!

⭐️ ― convincing portrayal of a canon character

Shout-out goes to @prodijedi. I love Callie's Dooku, he has so much depth and layers and cares so much about the people he loves deep down but is too deep in the mess he made and doesn't know how to show it, but Callie doesn't erase the fact that he has done terrible things.

💻 ― excellent writing

Shouting at @tacticalvalor for this one. So far, I've only interacted with Paz but I love him, and I love how well he's written. Jay has a way of making Paz so expressive despite the fact he's covered head to toe in armor and -understandably- unwilling to take it off. His inner thoughts are always a delight to read and the things he says always manage to crack me up.

🌼 ― creative headcanons

I think there isn't a single person in this fandom that's not creative when it comes to headcanons because we're all pretty big brained with them. But if I have to name just one, I'm gonna go with @thrawnur I LOVE YOUR HEADCANONS PJ! And I love the HCs and worldbuilding we've worked on together for Chiss. Our blueberries deserve more lore!!

🎙️ ― great to talk to

Shout-out to @corruptedforce/@crowsandmurder because Tanya is that one person you can always count on to be up to talk about literally anything. Everything I know about baseball, I learned from her. I also always love yelling with her about the stupid Star Wars questions people ask on Quora (still not over the person who had the audacity to ask why Obi-Wan didn't just kill Anakin, I'm outside their house with a baseball bat).

📚 ― nice threads to read

To this day, I still go into @d4gangera's blog just to read the stuff KT writes, and not just the threads I'm in, but everything she writes. I love how she writes Dagan, his inner monologues, his trauma after spending decades in bacta, his issues with the Jedi Order and the Empire and this new era he got yeeted into. I love it all.

🎀 ― all-around kind person

@vendettavalor IS THE KINDEST BEAN EVER!! I'm still absorbing all the analogical horror stuff that you recommended me and you bet I'm going to be yelling in your DMs once I'm caught up.

🥇 ― well-developed oc

Shout-out to @gwiazdowe for Cirz. HE'S BABEY!! I love him and how kind he is and how he sees good in people that nobody else would see good in. But he's not dumb. He's a smart boy and he deserved the world, I'm protecting him at all costs.

😍 ― admiring from afar

Not really from that far because we've actually talked but I have yet to start a thread with @alootus and that is a crime I should be in jail for. But I'm admiring because the blog theme is just so PRETTY, I love the color palette and the graphics.

📌 ― a staple on the dash

I love seeing @kylo-wrecked's posts on the dash. From the aesthetic stuff to replies to answers to ask memes, it's always god tier content!

🏆 ― 10/10 blog, would recommend

@ofthestcrs AMAZING MUN, AMAZING CHARACTERS, AMAZING BLOG! Gee is one of the first people I interacted with in this fandom and honestly, I'm holding on like an orphaned monkey. 10/10 will not be letting go anytime soon.

💜 ― receiver's choice ( simply shout out whoever you want )

[iu-jjang]

[TRANS] 230731 IU ‘Moment,’ Exhibition - Messages from IU to Uaena - Part 2 of 2

The day the icicles in my room melt will come.

The day that I can feel the temperature as temperature will definitely come

[Reference]

Bad Day

Will the icicles in my room melt when a sunny, good day comes?

The title of the unfamiliar song you heard in the guide booth has two characters.

[Reference]

None

If I act rudely, people are not kind to me!

(This is very important ⭐️)

[Reference]

Twenty-three

There’s nothing I’m afraid of

Even if I act rudely

People are always kind to me

The woman greeting me, is she still smiling after going around the corner?

Now that i’m in my 30s, i’m not really curious about it anymore!😁

[Reference]

Twenty-three

The woman greeting me, is she still smiling after going around the corner? I’m always anxious

If we spend 15 more years (together), what will we be doing by then?

These days, I like warm yellow more than dark purple.

[Reference]

Palette

Rather than Hot Pink, I prefer dark purple.

To all of the fireflies and clovers I’ve seen,

if everything in this world dies

and has a rebirth, even as I grow older again,

I’ll send you a heart that is shining alive.

Sleep well, wake up well,

let’s take a great deep breath ♡

[References]

Through the Night

Tonight, I’ll send the glow of a firefly

to somewhere near your window

I hope it’s a good dream

Heart

Everything in this world dies and has a rebirth

Even as I grow older again

Only this heart of mine, with no wrinkles

remains shining brightly here

Shining alive forever

Love poem

I’ll be there, behind you who’s walking alone

Singing till the end, this song which will never end

Take a great deep breath

For you who has forgotten how to cry out loud, I will sing

All the time i spent with uaena is the biggest honour to me.

[Reference]

None

Regardless of the seasons, let’s make roses bloom! As blue as possible, as many as possible! Our love will win again 🤍

[Reference]

Blueming

Our rectangular chat is in bloom

I’m making roses blossom with my thumb

I think I’m getting drunk with the scent

It’s our own secret garden…

Our colors are gray and blue

I’m making word balloons with my thumb…

I feel blue I feel blue I feel blue

I’m filling you up

This day, this moment right now, what’s brighter than us~~?

Us in this moment 🤍

Us coming up right now 🤍

I love you, my hero (most impt person)

[References]

dlwlrma

On this day, in this moment,

we are dazzling and beautiful…

Hello, my hero! Yes, I’m going to meet you.

Ta-da! I gracefully make my entrance…

What’s more amazing is that we’re just getting started.

[shadesofmauve]

@sarasa-cat this is too much for replies, lol, gonna do it old-school tumblrfailr style.

The amazing thing about color theory to me is that it gets into such complex math before you even get to the chemistry. What color space are we using? Are you sure? Can you actually show that? What's the light source? It gets beyond me fast, but I'm a spreadsheet slut and I can't resist the numbers. Trying to really understand perceptual color can drive you mad. Like, serious doubting-your-own-perception land.

The DS water color ground is transparent. I haven't tried it yet, but my thought was that I could print a sketch, seal it with acrylic medium, then add the ground, letting me get out of the horrible sketch-transferring process. I don't know if it will work, if I need the barrier acrylic, or what. It's also supposed to make a cold-press sort of texture, and I mostly do ink-lined work on hot press, bristol, or multimedia paper. (I am Not A Watercolorist, lol). When I finally experiment I'll report back!

...and yes. It's Handprint. I'm not surprised it's recognizable from the description, but its still cracking me up.

Now I'm taking what I learned from my watercolor dive and considering my acrylic collection (yes, I have too many media). It started out as nearly mirroring the oil paint palette I learned in college, but then I replaced things piecemeal based on 'what is available in the picked-over store', so it could use some help. Then there's the oils... two full sets, dating back to when I worked at an art supply store with a friend who was great at scoring samples from reps. I have unfinished oils on the wall crying at me.

[shadouge01]

I’m back.

My discombobulated thoughts now that I have finished Sonic Prime SPOLIERS!!!!!!!

********

Okay so I watched season 1 in parts and season 2 when it came out and just watched season 3 today. I binged everything, so if I don’t remember something 100% correctly, that’s why.

Sonic prime is good.

I know, shocker.

Okay, I haven’t watched any of the other shows so I can’t compare it to X or Boom or whatever. But this seemed to have a darker tone than most other sonic media and I enjoyed that a lot. (I know I need to watch SATAM, don’t yell at me.)I’ve dipped in and out of this fandom a lot. And my participation is all over the place (I won’t be posting about Ken spenders anymore, I took my Kenspiracies too far when I had that stupid twitter account yeah, that was me) but ANYWAY

This show was great. Not perfect, the main flaw I found was the pacing is very fact paced and action heavy which is good for a Sonic show and good for a person with ADHD like me. However I found the first season took awhile to get going and was more episodic. I know it was to introduce the characters but I got bored a bit. I’ll say again I liked the episode in Season 1 with Thorn Rose but the Boscage Maze and especially No Place never felt that fleshed out to me. I still wanted them to be saved because I cared about Sonic and his friends, but the worlds weren’t very interesting.

I. Love. New. Yoke. The aesthetic of this place is perfect and VERY Sonic CD bad future-seque which is PERFECT. I only wish we spent more time there. Especially in season 3 which takes place entirely in the Grim after the first two episodes, which I get, I do, but the pacing again, I felt was too fast and too much action and not enough character moments. The he ending felt rushed, because I really wanted to see the rebels rebuild New Yoke after the Egg Council was gone (assuming the other shatterspaces didn’t freeze in time like Green Hill did, but I got the implication that was a unique case.) and I wanted to see the others return home as well. I guess this leaves it open to a sequel or expansion of some kind, comics, some kind of spin off media, I’d even love an animated movie if they fixed the pacing issues, but yeah, that was my only gripe. I guess I wanted more time with Sonic and Nine reconciled too before everything happened but that’s the painful thing in life, sometimes you don’t get that. We know the prism still exists so then interacting again some way in the future might be possible, if they know how to control portals and such, hell with the chaos emerald they might be able to go to other worlds anyway. I wonder where Shadow is keeping the prism. I wonder if Nine stays on the Grim by himself or if he goes back to New Yoke. He deserves friends, and I’m sure some of the others would come around to him given time. renegade Knucks was up there fighting with Sonic after all. It could work. I just want him to be happy :((

I guess those are small nitpicks in the grand scheme of things because I want to say that the tone and storytelling was GREAT, the music was epic and cinematic and fit the tone of the show very well, the contrasting color palettes of different worlds really helped make it pop. The 3D animation was fantastic and felt perfect for a show like this. Characters were VERY expressive. (Hey Sega, can you update your in game models please thanks, you know it’s bad when the SA2 models have more dynamic facial expressions). Anyway, I thought the voice acting was great. Shadow’s voice felt a little wrong but I’m probably just used to Humphrey and Griffith, I don’t like his voice in forces either but I digress. It worked for this. Sonic’s VA was amazing and really able to convey a wide range of emotions and I thought the other characters had good VAs. Nine was great. I do wish maybe he’d had a redemption earlier against a greater threat a la Zuko style but one can dream. Nine is still easily the best version of Tails, ever. I was lukewarm on Tails as a character before and Nine made me appreciate everything about all versions of Tails. Incredible. What I love about Nine is he takes things too far because he has serious trust issues and him and Sonic fail to communicate which as a neurodivergent person is very relatable. I think Tails in general and especially Nine, is very autistic coded, and I love that. I just wish season 3 Nine had more development before the end because his arc was perfect until the end of season 2 but I’m at least glad he did realize and did the right thing. He’s really just a scared kid who wants a safe place, don’t we all? Again I REALLY want to see more material with him in the future and what becomes of him with Sonic gone.

My other favorite side characters were Thorn Rose, Rusty Rose, and Dread, but I thought they were all great. I loved that the roses had a great character moment, as did Dread when he finally realized that saving his friends was more important than treasure. The Egg council was awesome, taking different traits of Eggman and turning them into a squabbling family was PERFECT. The fact that they met their demise because they were arguing over the prism was so real. Great stuff.

I want to talk about Sonic himself because this is one of the best Sonics I’ve seen. I haven’t decided if this is better than Movie Sonic, but I love both a ton along with Adventure. This Sonic is one of the most expressive Sonics with the most emotional range. Yeah, he’s still overly cocky and hilarious, and mostly always optimistic, but I love that he actually learns from his mistakes and comes up with new ideas. The fact he even took inspiration from the Egg Council to never give up was great. I loved the robots of all the main characters as well. Sonic was well written, VERY in character but still serious when he needs to be (unlike Archie Sonic (sometimes) and 06, which is bad).

Speaking of 06, this is the best written Shadow we have gotten since 06. I mentioned very early on in this blog how I love his arc through Shadow 05 and Sonic 06. Sonic is way out of character and the Elise thing is stupid, BUT, Team Dark was perfect in 06. It’s sad we don’t have Team Dark anymore, but Rouge on team sonic was cool, I just like Rouge in general and if they’re gonna make her part of the main cast, good. Okay, back to Shadow. His development in game is that he goes from being angry at the world and wanting revenge, to being emotionally numb and trying to figure out the truth, to finally realizing his purpose and knowing not to give up and kicking the bad guys when it hurts. He’s hard to crack, but he DOES care about his friends, as you can see through subtle actions, rather it be Team Dark, Sonic, whatever. He’d never ADMIT to Sonic that they’re friends, but I do genuinely think he cares for Sonic.

Anyway, Shadow has been stagnant as a character since then, the best writing was in Forces with him vs. Infinite but it didn’t do much to further his character. He hasn’t been in a lot of media lately like Frontiers (although maybe they knew they couldn’t write him well for games and wanted to see how he went over in prime and the upcoming movie). Prime Shadow made me more excited for Movie Shadow, because if we got one of, if not THE best Sonics ever in Prime as well as the movie, I’m expecting good things from Shadow in the movie, considering they really nailed Tails and Knuckles in Sonic 2, imo, and now knowing that Shadow is allowed to have feelings again is so good. He’s very in character, overly serious, and cold, but he is incredibly dedicated to the cause and unquestionably a hero, like 06 Shadow. Prime Shadow reminds me a LOT of 06 Shadow and that’s GOOD. He’s also just great with his subtle nod to Sonic when Sonic talks about his friends, their excellent back and forthing with Sonic cracking jokes “I didn’t know you were a hugger” and Shadow responding with his straight man persona “do you want me to save you or not?” It was great stuff all the way through. I thought he was decent in Season 2, but Season 3 was AWESOME. I guess I had to trade Nine for Shadow, sigh. Nine did come back around in the end which GOOD, if they kept him as a villain the whole time I would’ve been pissed, but I digress. This might be the best Shadow since SA2, he’s SO GOOD YALL and I could keep raving about Prime Shadow all day. I loved when Dr. Deep called him an edge lord, it’s great meta humor, and in character for Deep who actually is an edge lord. Really hope SEGA takes the positive feedback from this and makes Shadow better in upcoming games/comics. LET FLYNN WRITE A GOOD SHADOW FOR GOD’S SAKE!

Ahem.

Anyway, I’m glad I watched Prime, it gave us the best Sonic Shadow and Tails maybe ever and it took the darker tone that Forces tried and really fleshed it out. Good job guys.